Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Records topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House rejects bill tightening release of accident reports after privacy and access debate
Summary
HB163, intended to limit disclosure of accident-report details while allowing media access for public-safety data, failed in the House. Sponsors said the measure would protect victims from harassment; opponents argued it privileged media access and curtailed public access.
The House voted down House Bill 163, a proposal aimed at limiting public access to certain personal details in accident reports while allowing media access for public-safety reporting.
Representative Dave Hogue presented the amendment to allow insurers and the press to access certain reports with permission or legal authority, describing abuses by private investigators who collected and sold accident information. Hogue said the bill "protects the rights of individuals" and sought to restrict harassing uses of accident-report data.
Opponents pressed that enabling media access while restricting broader public access could create an uneven information regime and physically benefit attorneys and private investigators. Representative Aaron said, "We've given the media access but not the public," arguing the public should retain broad rights to such records. After floor debate, the House rejected HB163 on a recorded vote of 23 yes to 39 no; the bill was filed.
The transcript records discussion of specific statute citations but no amendment that secured broad bipartisan support; the roll-call defeat ended House consideration that day.
