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Committee advances bill creating public access counselor in attorney general’s office to help mediate open‑records disputes
Summary
House Bill 21‑63 would create a public access counselor inside the attorney general’s office to help citizens expedite or mediate delayed or disputed open‑records requests; the committee reported the bill out on an 11‑4 vote after questions about scope, authority, and fiscal impact.
Deputy Leader Pfeiffer said House Bill 21‑63 would create a public access counselor within the attorney general’s office to help resolve delays or disputes over open‑records requests without immediate recourse to district court.
“The idea behind this is to just try to find a level in between where you have somebody you can go to and say, hey, can you help me get these requests filled,” Pfeiffer told the committee.
Members asked whether the counselor would funnel requests through the AG, whether the office would gain new authority over other elected officials, and whether the role would require additional staffing and costs. Pfeiffer said the counselor would not replace existing avenues but would provide a mediation step between requesters and agencies. “I don’t necessarily see it as a shift of power,” he said; rather, it would be “somebody who can help mediate disputes.”
Representative Crosswhite Hader and others asked about fiscal impact and whether the AG’s office could consult outside counsel. Representative Fugate noted that the AG already issues formal opinions and that this measure is intended to avoid court filings and accelerate resolutions.
The committee voted to report the bill out do pass on an 11‑4 vote. The sponsor said the office would offer a pathway short of litigation for citizens and media outlets seeking records.
