An Act Requiring A Study Of State Agency Response Times To Freedom Of Information Act Requests.
Summary
SB 1408 requires the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management to conduct a study of how quickly state agencies respond to requests for public records under the Freedom of Information Act. The study must examine average agency response times and identify instances where unreasonable delays led to complaints filed with the Freedom of Information Commission.
The bill also requires OPM to submit a report of its findings to the General Assembly’s Government Oversight committee by February 15, 2026. That report must include the study results and any recommended legislation to address problems identified in the review. The measure is a study-and-report bill rather than a direct change to FOIA deadlines or enforcement rules.
Impact
The bill does not immediately amend existing Freedom of Information Act response requirements or create new penalties; instead, it adds a new statutory study obligation for the Office of Policy and Management. Its practical effect is to generate data on state agency compliance with public records request timelines and to inform possible future legislation affecting FOIA administration, agency transparency, and complaint handling before the Freedom of Information Commission.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests broad support and little controversy: the Government Oversight committee reported the bill favorably on a 12-0 vote. With no committee transcript available, there is no recorded debate in the provided materials, but the unanimous vote indicates general agreement that state agency FOIA response times merit review.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided record. If any concerns existed, they would likely have centered on whether the study is necessary, how burdensome it might be for OPM or agencies to compile response-time data, or whether the legislature should instead enact direct FOIA reforms. The available materials, however, show no opposition and no recorded dispute over the bill’s scope or purpose.