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House creates Government Records Access and Management Task Force (HB 75)
Summary
The House unanimously approved HB 75 to form a task force to review the Government Records Access and Management Act (referred to in the transcript as 'GRAMA'); legislators cited electronic records, email variability and identity-theft concerns and a $14,400 fiscal note for staffing.
The Utah House unanimously passed House Bill 75, a task-force bill to review and update aspects of the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), announcing a 72-0 vote and referral to the Senate.
Representative Doug Agard explained the bill grew from prior work and an interim study. He said the task force would address issues including nuisance requests that slow government processes, large-volume commercial requests and the need to treat electronic records (emails, instant messages and voice mail) consistently while balancing privacy and public access.
A fiscal note of $14,400 for legislative staff support was read on the floor. House members said the amount reflected the capacity to host two House task forces within the legislative staffing model; if more task forces are approved the fiscal note could change.
Several speakers including Representative Becker and Representative Dave Clark supported forming the task force, noting variable treatment of email as public records and the need for consistent policy and archival practices.
Representative Agard closed the floor presentation; the clerk later announced that House Bill 75 "having received 72 yes votes, 0 no votes, passes this body and will be referred to the Senate for further consideration." The task force will report back through the committee and appropriations processes as funding and prioritization are determined.
Next steps: The bill will move to the Utah Senate for further consideration; the task force's scope and any recommended statutory amendments will depend on subsequent committee work and appropriation decisions.
