Richmond committee debates two competing FOIA-library ordinances, continues both for amendment

The Governmental Operations and Standing Committee of Richmond met to consider two competing ordinances to establish a citywide Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) library and continued both for further amendment.

The two papers before the committee were ordinance 2025-210 (sponsored by Ms. Gibson) to create a FOIA library with specified posting rules and departmental exemptions, and an alternative administration proposal (referred to in the meeting materials and slides as 02/1940) that would publish an adjustable rubric describing which FOIA responses would be posted online.

Both proposals drew sustained public comment, including from Sean Casar of Richmond DSA, Quentin Robbins of Richmond for All, and resident David Mayer, who urged stronger, codified transparency. Megan Rhine, executive director of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government, testified in favor of the Gibson approach, saying the Freedom of Information Act was meant to give “the people of the Commonwealth ready access to public records” and warning that granting broad discretion to the administration would undercut that public right.

Ross Gautreaux, director of communications for the City…