BILL NUMBER: S4896

SPONSOR: MAY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing the addition
of a new section 19 to article 1 of the constitution in relation to the
fundamental right of the people to have access to public information

 
PURPOSE:

Amends the state constitution to guarantee the right of citizens to
access government records and meetings without undue burden.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Amends the State Constitution's bill of rights to encompass a
citizen's right to have access to public information. This will include
the right of the people to inspect government records, the right to copy
government records, the right to have notice of government meetings, and
the right to attend government meetings, none of which can be unreason-
              

ably restricted.

Section 2: Provides for submission of this Constitutional Amendment to
the first regular session of the Legislature after the next succeeding
general election of the members of the Assembly.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

In light of recent events, it has become clear that there is a discon-
nect between the citizenry of this State, and some of those public offi-
cials charged with carrying out their duties to the citizenry. Many
efforts to seek clarity on government actions are stymied or delayed for
unreasonably long periods of time. Barriers to transparency and account-
ability in government run counter to fundamental principles of good
government. In order to ensure that citizens are able to openly evaluate
the decisions of their elected officials and the functioning of state
government, the citizens of this State must have the necessary access to
government meetings and records. This legislation will enshrine this
fundamental right in the State Constitution,

 
FISCAL IMPACT ON THE STATE:

To be determined.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Resolved, that the foregoing amendments be referred to the first regular
legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election
of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article
19 of the Constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time
of such election.