Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Records Data Requests topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee sends bill on public-records costs for large or abandoned data requests to judiciary
Summary
Senate File 2390 would let school districts charge for costs associated with abandoned or burdensome public-data requests and would require identification of requesters; after testimony from superintendents and legal advisors, the Education Policy Committee moved the measure without recommendation to the Judiciary Committee.
Senate File 2390, introduced by Senator Mann, would allow Minnesota school districts to charge for the costs associated with producing large or abandoned public-data requests, and would require identifying information for requesters in some versions of the bill considered by the committee.
John Carlson, chief administrative officer for Rochester Public Schools, told the committee districts are spending significant staff resources responding to broad requests and sometimes the requester never inspects the produced materials. Carlson said some requests appear commercialized or are motivated to mine data for private gain. "I want to commend you for investigating this issue and allowing us to be able to charge costs if someone puts in a large data request but then never shows up to review it," Carlson testified.
Smaller-district testimony echoed the burden; a remote testifier who said he returned from retirement to serve as interim superintendent in a rural district cited heavy redaction costs and staff time. Several witnesses urged rules that allow districts to recover redaction fees and staff costs.
An attorney with long experience in Minnesota data-practices law urged caution. Rich Neumeister argued existing law already provides flexibility — for example, by using rolling production — and warned that the bill could set a poor precedent. He also questioned the practicality of collecting fees from anonymous requesters and recommended further stakeholder work before finalizing statutory changes.
Committee members discussed balancing transparency and protecting district budgets. Senator Duckworth suggested the bill require requesters to identify themselves and possibly state their purpose, and to treat requests from district residents differently than those from nonresidents. The committee ultimately moved the bill without recommendation to the Judiciary Committee so that legal and procedural issues could be addressed there.
Action recorded: SF 2390 moved without recommendation to Judiciary Committee for further review.
