Rep. Paul Baumbach’s HB 75 would now require all agencies and institutions that are subject to the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) respond to requests for information from non-Delawareans. These agencies and institutions can charge out of state requesters higher fees than we good and superior Delawareans. Rep. Baumbach has also already introduced an Amendment that would require that all public bodies that are subject to the provisions of FOIA, and meet 4 or fewer times per year, electronically post draft minutes of open public meetings, identified as “draft minutes,” to the designated State website approved by the Secretary of State within 20 working days after the conclusion of the meeting.
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
UPDATED: 4/18/17
SPONSORS: Baumbach, Sokola, Bonini, Potter, Hudson, Paradee, Ramone
YES VOTES:
NO VOTES:
HISTORY: Placed in the House Administration Committee.
STATUS: Tabled in committee on 4/5/17.
The amendment was crafted and introduced to limit the impact on the Attorney General’s office; we are hopeful that, as amended, the bill will avoid a fiscal note. This year, a fiscal note is close to a death sentence for a bill. The original bill is supported by Common Cause and by the Delaware Coalition for Open Government.
“The original bill is supported by Common Cause and by the Delaware Coalition for Open Government.”
So is that a death sentence as well? The House Administration Committee – where good-government bills go to die.