[from GovAccess and CuD] Date: Wed, 16 Mar 1994 16:45:41 -0800 From: Jim Warren Subject: Access bills need support;capitol email-faxes;FEC online Mar.16, 1994 FOUR CALIF ASSEMBLY BILLS WOULD OPEN & ASSURE ELECTRONIC PUBLIC ACCESS AB 2547 mandates that records specified in AB 1624 are public records. There was some question last year whether the codes were considered a public record. This is an especially important bill to those people who use the electronic access to legislative data. [AB 1624 mandated that all public legislative records, state stautes and state constitution be available via the Internet without state charge.] AB 2524 mandates public electronic access to public records if the agency maintains such records in electronic format. The agencies are not required to put the data in electronic format nor are they required to buy equipment nor "translate" data to meet any special needs of the requestor. Whatever format the agency has the data is the format that should be made available to the public. Allows the agency to charge for the media on which the data is provided, just as they can for the paper copies. [Various agencies have refused to provide computerized copies of their computerized public records, offering only paper copies to meet the requirements of the current California Public Records Act.] AB 2525 makes those documents in which an agency states its position on pending legislation a public record, whether they are sent to a legislator or to the Governor. [The enrolled bill report is not a public record. The enrolled bill report is the final analysis on a bill done by the Gov's Dept. of Finance. Last year, DOF estimated a cost of $300,000 for implementing AB 1624. Bowen explained that their analysis was based on a merely-similar ballot initiative authored by UWSA, not AB 1624. Luckily, the Governor signed the bill anyway, but could have easily vetoed it on the false cost estimates contained in the non-public DOF report.] AB 2523 networks all state agencies and the judiciary and provides public access via network to public records. Support is needed ASAP. Opposition is expected on at least AB 2524 and AB 2523, the latter due to cost. If you have questions, please call Bowen's aide, Mary Winkley, at 916-445-8528. All the bills except AB 2523 were scheduled for March 15 in the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee. AB 2523 was scheduled for March 16 in the Assembly Consumer Protection Committee, with other committee hearings to follow. Send supporting letters and faxes to: Hon. Debra Bowen, Assembly Member State Capitol, Room 3126 Sacramento CA 95814 fax/916-327-2201. They will make sure they don't get, uh, "lost," and will distribute them to the members of the committees. [My apologies for not getting this out sooner. *Too* much to do. :-( -jim] &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&