HB 2000

Abstract

Virginia Freedom of Information Act; chargesfor production of public records. Prohibits a public body fromcharging a requester for any costs incurred during the first twohours spent accessing or searching for requested records when suchrequester has made four or fewer individual records requests to suchpublic body within 31 consecutive days. The bill provides that forany additional time spent accessing or searching for such records,or when such requester makes five or more individual records requeststo such public body within any 31-consecutive-day period, the publicbody shall not charge an hourly rate for accessing or searching forthe records exceeding the lesser of the hourly rate of pay of thelowest-paid individual capable of fulfilling the request or $33 perhour. The bill also requires public bodies to post on their website or otherwise publish a written policy (a) explaining how the publicbody assesses charges for accessing or searching for requested recordsand (b) noting the current fee charged, if any, by the public bodyfor accessing and searching for the requested records.