Proposed amendments to California Assembly Bill 1821 will be re-referred to the California Senate Judiciary Committee on June 30. In its current form, AB 1821 would amend the California Public Records Act (CPRA), which provides the public the right to promptly acquire and inspect government records.
The newest form of AB 1821 would lengthen the response time of California government agencies. When a member of the public requests a record, there is a legally bound deadline for government agencies to respond. Under this proposed bill, the permissible waiting time would be extended. Instead of a 10-day deadline, it would be 10 business days. And when granted an extension, the deadline would be 14 business days rather than 14 calendar days.
While the change from calendar to business days appears minor, there are dire implications for journalists who rely on prompt information. If a journalist is reporting on an election, released campaign expenses would be ineffectual if released after election day. This change would also impact breaking news about police misconduct and board meetings, which should not be stalled by government agencies. The time information is released changes how the public votes and takes action, and in our rapid news cycle, postponing a story by four days is not trivial.
Slowing down the processing window can cause a requester to surrender and cancel their plea. While artificial intelligence requesters and those with malicious intent exist, there are court options and other avenues for agencies to deny burdening requests. But reporters need punctual information. When the CPRA passed in 1968, the newly mandated disclosure timelines were essential to timely journalism. Citizens were able to read about previously hidden information and take action on time.
As a student-run publication with a breaking news section and investigative wing, free public information is essential to stay in the know, and report back to our community. Prompt public records that are free of charge allow us, and many other student publications, to stay informed and keep writing.
Editor’s note: Editorials should not be interpreted to reflect the opinion, thoughts or beliefs of any individual New University editor, staff member or affiliate.
