Gov. Spencer Cox to Sign Bills Revamping Utah’s Open Records Law
Salt Lake City, UT – Governor Spencer Cox announced plans to sign significant bills reshaping Utah’s government records law, emphasizing expedited access but raising concerns about transparency. The key legislation, SB277, abolishes the State Records Committee—a volunteer panel that has handled disputes over public records since the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) was established in 1991. This committee will be replaced by an administrative law judge appointed by the governor.
Sen. Mike McKell, who sponsored the bill, argued the current committee process was flawed, citing long resolution times and inconsistency in rulings due to members’ lack of legal training. “With the proposed changes, we aim to reduce the backlog and deliver quicker decisions on record disputes,” said Gov. Cox during a PBS Utah news conference, highlighting the average 156-day wait time for cases.
Despite these intentions, the overhaul has drawn criticism. Veteran journalist Tom Haraldsen, a former committee member, warned that eliminating the committee, which fostered deliberation, could diminish transparency. The Utah Media Coalition, which initially opposed the bill, later adopted a neutral stance after modifications were made. However, they remain wary of the impact on public oversight.
Additional legislation, HB69, will make appeals against record denial more financially burdensome, as successful appellants won’t recover court costs unless they prove the government acted in bad faith. Legal experts fear this change could dissuade citizens from challenging unfair denials, ultimately weakening oversight mechanisms. Howard Goldberg, former Associated Press bureau chief, criticized the changes, arguing that appointing a judge undermines public accountability.
As the legislation progresses, both supporters and opponents brace for its implications on government transparency and citizen access to information.
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