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Committee backs city testimony opposing a proposed 30‑day FOAA response requirement
Summary
City staff warned that a proposed amendment to the Freedom of Access Act would force departments to respond to all requests within 30 days; the Government Operations Committee voted to submit testimony opposing the bill.
City staff briefed the Government Operations Committee on proposed legislation to amend the Freedom of Access Act to require full responses to public‑records requests within 30 days. Staff said the change would be disruptive because many requests are broad or complex, require coordination across departments, and can demand redaction or video editing workload that takes significant staff time.
Staff told the committee that current practice requires acknowledging requests within five days and responding within a reasonable time, and that a strict 30‑day deadline would impose operational burdens and might force departments to curtail other work or pay for outsourcing to meet the deadline. Committee members noted examples such as body‑worn camera footage, which can require labor‑intensive redaction and editing.
A motion to authorize city testimony in opposition to the bill was moved and seconded and approved with no objection recorded in the transcript. Staff indicated the city will submit testimony opposing the proposed change.
