01/20/16 – By Mary Ellen Klas
A House committee unanimously passed a bill Wednesday that would remove the requirement that government officials who intentionally violate the state’s public records law pay attorneys fees when citizens take them to court.
The measure, HB 1021 by Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, would give judges the discretion to determine if government agencies will pay the legal fees of a lawsuit when they are found in violation of the law. It also requires that the a person who intends to file a lawsuit give the public agency notice at least five business days in advance. [Read More]