Bill Text: AZ HB2414 | 2014 | Fifty-first Legislature 2nd Regular | Engrossed


Bill Title: Public records; burdensome requests

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2014-04-21 - Senate third reading FAILED voting: (6-17-7-0) [HB2414 Detail]

Download: Arizona-2014-HB2414-Engrossed.html

 

 

 

Senate Engrossed House Bill

 

 

 

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-first Legislature

Second Regular Session

2014

 

 

HOUSE BILL 2414

 

 

 

AN ACT

 

Amending section 39-121.02, Arizona Revised Statutes; relating to public records.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 


Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1.  Section 39-121.02, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE39-121.02.  Action on denial of access; costs and attorney fees; damages; burdensome requests

A.  Any person who has requested to examine or copy public records pursuant to this article, and who has been denied access to or the right to copy such records, may appeal the denial through a special action in the superior court, pursuant to the rules of procedure for special actions against the officer or public body.

B.  The court may award attorney fees and other legal costs that are reasonably incurred in any action under this article if the person seeking public records has substantially prevailed.  Nothing in This subsection shall does not limit the rights of any party to recover attorney fees, expenses and double damages pursuant to section 12‑349.

C.  Any person who is wrongfully denied access to public records pursuant to this article has a cause of action against the officer or public body for any damages resulting from the denial.

D.  It is a defense to any action under this article that the request for access to public records is unduly burdensome or harassing.

E.  A request for public records may be unduly burdensome if either of the following applies:

1.  The request does not identify the requested records with reasonable particularity.

2.  The request cannot be narrowed or reduced to a manageable degree after both:

(a)  The officer or public body explains in writing why the request is not manageable.

(b)  The person seeking the public records has been afforded a reasonable opportunity to narrow or reduce the request to a manageable degree.END_STATUTE

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