Virginia Freedom of Information Act; requests for records. (HB2125)
Introduced By
Del. Mark Keam (D-Vienna) with support from co-patron Del. Onzlee Ware (D-Roanoke)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✗ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Virginia Freedom of Information Act; requests for records. Provides that FOIA requests may be made by any citizen of the United States and not just citizens of the Commonwealth. The bill also allows a public body to require prepayment before providing requested records when the cost for production of the records is likely to exceed $100. Read the Bill »
Outcome
Bill Has Failed
History
Date | Action |
---|---|
01/09/2013 | Committee |
01/09/2013 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/13 13101987D |
01/09/2013 | Referred to Committee on General Laws |
01/14/2013 | Assigned GL sub: #2 FOIA/Procurement |
01/15/2013 | Impact statement from DPB (HB2125) |
01/24/2013 | Subcommittee recommends laying on the table |
02/05/2013 | Left in General Laws |
Comments
ACLU of Virginia supports allowing people living outside of Virginia to request information under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. The law already allows out of state media companies to do so. There is no reason not to allow individuals from other states to request information. At the same time, the ACLU of Virginia is concerned that the language of the proposed bill limits the right to seek access to public information to "citizens." There is no reason to restrict the ability of any person in the country lawfully to access public records, including legal permanent residents, students here on student visas, and persons in the country lawfully to work.