The Senate Local Government Committee heard HB 1523, sponsored by Sen. Bray, Sen. Merritt and Sen. Lanane, creating a search fee for public records request. The bill
- allows a state or local government agency (agency) to charge a maximum hourly fee for any records search that exceeds two hours,
- prohibits, with certain exceptions, an agency from charging a fee for providing a public record by electronic mail, and
- provides that if a public record is in an electronic format, an agency (excluding the office of the county recorder) shall provide an electronic copy or a paper copy, at the option of the person making the request for a public record.
Testimony in favor of the bill was provided by representatives from Ball State University, Hoosier State Press Association, Indiana Recorders’ Association, Highland Clerk-Treasurer, and in opposition by Indiana Land Title Association. The bill passed 7-0.
Read the bill at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2017/bills/house/1523