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AB 541 would create a public‑records ombudsperson to review denials; author agrees to clarify fee/attorney‑fee protections
Summary
AB 541 would create an ombudsperson (proposed in the state auditor’s office) to review denials under the California Public Records Act and advise requesters and agencies; sponsor said the role would improve compliance and public trust, and the author agreed to clarify that agency appeals should not be used to seek attorney fees from requesters.
Assemblymember DeMaio presented AB 541 as a bipartisan effort to strengthen implementation of the California Public Records Act (CPRA) by establishing an ombudsperson to review agency denials of records requests and help resolve disputes without immediate litigation.
DeMaio told the committee the…
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