02/17/16 – By Kate Irby
A Senate committee approved a narrower substitute Wednesday for proposed legislation that would get rid of the mandate agencies found in violation of the Florida Sunshine Law law pay the plaintiff’s attorney fees.
Current law says a judge “shall” award attorney fees against the responsible agency if a court determines it acted unlawfully when it refused to provide a public record. A House bill sponsored by state Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, would change “shall” to “may,” giving judges discretion on whether to award attorney fees. It also requires that complainants file written requests for public records five days before they can file a lawsuit. [Read More]