Session 120 - (2013-2014)
H 3163 General Bill, By Taylor, G.R. Smith, Long and Daning
Summary: Freedom of Information Act
A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 30-4-30, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO FEES AND THE TIME IN WHICH A PUBLIC BODY MUST RESPOND TO A REQUEST MADE UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF PUBLIC RECORDS UNDER THE ACT, TO PROVIDE A PUBLIC BODY MAY NOT CHARGE FOR STAFF TIME BUT MAY CHARGE THE PREVAILING COMMERCIAL RATE FOR COPY COSTS WHEN RESPONDING TO A REQUEST, TO PROVIDE A PUBLIC BODY MAY NOT ASSESS A COPY CHARGE WHEN PROVIDING A RECORD STORED OR TRANSMITTED IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT, TO PROVIDE A PUBLIC BODY MAY REQUIRE A DEPOSIT BEFORE FULFILLING A REQUEST, TO REVISE THE TIME LIMITS FOR RESPONDING TO A REQUEST, TO PROVIDE THAT DURING THE HOURS OF OPERATION OF A PUBLIC BODY IT MUST MAKE AVAILABLE WITHOUT WRITTEN REQUEST ALL DOCUMENTS RECEIVED OR REVIEWED BY A MEMBER OF THE BODY IN A PUBLIC MEETING DURING THE PRECEDING SIX MONTHS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT A PUBLIC BODY MAY SATISFY THIS REQUIREMENT BY MAKING THE RECORDS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET; TO AMEND SECTION 30-4-100, RELATING TO EQUITABLE REMEDIES AVAILABLE UNDER THE ACT, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR SPECIFIC ENFORCEMENT AND CIVIL CONTEMPT REMEDIES WHEN A PUBLIC BODY FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE TIME LIMITS FOR RESPONDING TO A REQUEST; AND TO AMEND SECTION 30-4-110, RELATING TO FINES AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR A VIOLATION OF THE ACT, SO AS TO INCREASE THE FINES AND PROVIDE AN OFFICER OR PUBLIC OFFICIAL WHO WILFULLY VIOLATES THE ACT MAY BE PUNISHED PURSUANT TO THE ACT.
View full text View Vote History