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Committee narrows Right-to-Know appeals language, drops a fee waiver and advances House Bill 66
Summary
The Finance Division debated and amended House Bill 66, which adjusts parts of the Right-to-Know law. Committee members removed a line waiving court filing fees for certain appeals, voted 6–3 to adopt that amendment, and later recommended HB 66 'ought to pass with amendments' by the same margin.
The Finance - Division I committee considered House Bill 66, an amendment package to the Right-to-Know law that clarifies who may request records and how electronic requests are handled. Committee members focused debate on two items: whether to waive a filing fee for appeals from the Ombudsman’s rulings, and how to define "member of the media" and the scope of electronic-request obligations.
After discussion, committee members voted 6–3 to strike the sentence on page 2, line 17 that read, "appeals shall have no filing fee or surcharge." Committee staff and some members said the Right-to-Know Office and the court system currently provide lower-cost Ombudsman review options and courts retain customary fees; supporters of fee removal said court fees could discourage access for requesters. The amendment passed 6–3 and the committee then voted…
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