Oregon AG submits public records reform legislation

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced Friday that she has submitted proposed legislation to begin the process of cleaning up the state’s public records laws.

“I am pleased with this first step toward an overdue reform of Oregon’s public records laws,” Rosenblum said.

The proposed legislation is informed by more than nine months’ work by the Attorney General’s Public Records Reform Task Force. The Task Force members come from a variety of backgrounds, including the media, state and local governments, as well as public members.

The proposed legislation tackles three major policy areas: 1) Creating clear time frames for responses to public records requests; 2) making sense of more than 500 exemptions spread out among Oregon laws that currently prevent disclosure of otherwise public documents; and 3) developing a strong policy statement that would encourage courts and public officials to favor public access to the work of our government.

The task force will continue working on important public records issues, including the cost of obtaining public records.

“It is important to emphasize that we cannot implement these suggested reforms without the active support and involvement of our Governor and the legislature,” Rosenblum said. “I am grateful to the Governor and Secretary of State,Senators Lee Beyer and Jeff Kruse, Representatives Ken Helm and John Huffman, and all of the task force members for their contributions to this important work.”

Meanwhile Rosenblum will join available members of the Public Records Law Reform Task Force on Thursday, August 18 in Bend for the task force’s fourth public hearing.

The public hearing is an opportunity for Oregonians to provide input on Oregon’s Public Records Laws and the work of the task force.

The task force was formed by Attorney General Rosenblum in September 2015 as a way to promote greater transparency in government. Its purpose is to review and recommend specific improvements to Oregon’s public records laws.

So far, the task force has focused on establishing deadlines for public bodies to respond to requests for records, and on addressing the more than 500 exemptions from public disclosure. The task force will also examine the fees that public bodies may charge for records, and consider whether the state should create a Public Records Advocate.

All members of the media and the public are welcome to attend and testify. Comments can also be emailed to the task force at publicrecordstaskforce@doj.state.or.us.

DATE:

Thursday, August 18, 2016

WHERE:

Bend Library, Central Branch
601 NW Wall St
Bend, OR 97701

TIME:

4:30 PM – 6:00 PM