A few state FOIA and local open government news items selected from many of interest that we might or might not have drawn attention to earlier in the week. While you're at it, be sure to check out State FOIA Friday Archives.
Private prison firm CCA defends record on transparency in Vt.
MONTPELIER, Vermont — The private company that runs three out-of-state prisons where Vermont inmates are housed is defending its record on transparency. Corrections Corporation of America is responding to a lawsuit filed in Vermont over the issue by saying it complies fully with all applicable state open-records laws.
Visit The Republic for the rest.
UO public records office increases volume, efficiency
A year-end report from University of Oregon’s Office of Public Records indicates a larger volume than ever of requests for information about various UO operations but a steadily decreasing amount of time required to fulfill the requests. The UO received 292 public records requests through the first 11 months (through May) of the current fiscal year – four more than in the entire 2012 fiscal year and 92 more than in the 2011 fiscal year. Over that same three-year period, the average amount of time it has taken to fulfill requests has decreased by about five days.
Visit University of Oregon for the rest.
Colorado city wants to ban people taking pictures of public records
Durango, Colo., officials are trying to close what they see as a public-records loophole that is costing them money. The Durango Herald reports that the city is proposing an ordinance that would ban people from photographing public records they request. It seems people are using their cellphones and tablet computers to get around photocopying fees by taking pictures of the documents.
Visit The Salt Lake Tribune for the rest.
Governor Cuomo releases provisional open data guidelines to increase transparency among state agencies
Albany, NY – June 13, 2013 – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today released provisional open data guidelines for state agencies and public authorities to participate in Open.ny.gov, marking another milestone for the State’s data transparency website. With this action, New York is the first state in the nation to publish its provisional open data guidelines and seek public comment on GitHub, an open source platform that allows for open collaboration and sharing. Public comment is open until September 1, 2013.
Visit LongIsland.com for the rest.
City of El Paso launches webpage to file open records requests electronically
EL PASO, Texas – The City of El Paso has launched a webpage for open records requests. The Cithy’s Communications and Public Affairs Office is responsible for all Open Records Requests. All requests must be made in writing. To submit an Open Records Request through the electronic system, please click on the “Submit Open Records Request” tab on the link at bottom of this article.
Visit KVIA for the rest.
Law signed by governor regarding private university police records
A bill allowing public access to information maintained by campus police affiliated with private and non-profit institutions of higher education in North Carolina became law this week. House Bill 142 was ratified on June 5 and signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Pat McCrory. The new law requires campus police departments at private universities to comply with more public records requests, making arrest records and other investigative records public information. It requires the same kind of access also mandated for municipal, county and state law enforcement.
Visit Times-News for the rest.
California legislature kills $10 fee for search of public court records
SAN FRANCISCO (CN) – A trailer bill that would have severely limited press and public access to court documents has died in the California Legislature, after widespread editorial condemnation from the state’s newspapers. The defeated proposal was put forward by the Administrative Office of the Courts and would have resulted in a charge of $10 per file to look at court records.
Visit Courthouse News Service for the rest.