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House passes bill clarifying attorney general access to government records; GRAMA protections retained
Summary
Lawmakers passed House Bill 3 to clarify that the Attorney General may use records from other state departments when representing a client agency; sponsors said GRAMA controls disclosure and the bill aligns statute with practice.
Representative Martin R. Stevens introduced House Bill 3 to align the attorney general section of the code with the recently updated GRAMA (government records) statute, clarifying that the Attorney General may obtain and use records from other state departments when representing a client governmental entity. Stevens said the change "is meant to do is to clarify that they still have the right to do what they've been doing all of this time."
Representative Allen questioned whether the change included penalties or redress if confidential records were improperly disclosed or misused. Patrice Dean, identified as present from the Attorney General's office, and the sponsor said GRAMA contains criminal penalties and that transferred records retain their protection classification. Stevens emphasized the bill does not change practice but corrects a statutory coordination problem (Section 63-2-206 referenced on the floor).
The House voted on the bill after discussion and it passed the House by a recorded vote of 65 yes, 0 no. The measure was referred to the Senate for further consideration.
