PA Senate Open Records Measure Retroactive

According to the Patriot-News report, the Senate measure to revamp the state's public documents access law, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, passed 50-0. It appears that the exemptions for email communications between legislators and constituents will remain closed to access.

However, the Senate version removed the House-supported proposal that kept past records closed.

Can you believe what some will say that says nothing.

In State Senate OKs change to open records law

"We've really got to take a look at the legislation that passed the Senate -- see exactly what they did, what changes they made -- because it does affect more than just the House and Senate," said Steve Miskin, spokesman for House Minority Leader Sam Smith, R-Jefferson. "This bill will actually affect real Pennsylvanians."

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/state/s_550070.html

will actually affect real Pennsylvanians? What political gooblygock.

The Senate legislation differs from the House version with its dozens of amendments in a most major way: it will subject past records to public access as well as future records. The House version declined to give that one to "real Pennsylvanians."

We'll have to see how Rep. Sam Smith and other House members spin their non-concurrence should that happen.

Net the Truth Online

Update Jan. 31, 2008

State Senate OKs change to open records law
By The Associated Press
Thursday, January 31, 2008
HARRISBURG -- Pennsylvania's much-maligned open records law would be updated to greatly expand what people can learn about their government under a bill that unanimously passed the state Senate on Wednesday.
The Senate sent to the House the latest draft in what has been a yearlong process of revising the Right-to-Know Law. It exposes more government records to public scrutiny, including a list of legislative records and judicial financial records.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/state/s_550070.html

The current draft removes a House-backed provision that would have prevented access to dates of birth. It also makes the law retroactive, covering existing as well as newly created records, another break from what the House had passed.

According to the Inquirer

Open-records bill passes Pa. Senate, heads to House
By Amy Worden INQUIRER HARRISBURG BUREAU Wed, Jan. 30, 2008

...the bill requires that all records be considered public unless specifically exempted under the law.

Those exemptions would include autopsy reports, investigative reports related to law enforcement, medical records, Social Security numbers, and home and personal cellular phone numbers.

Also exempted would be constituent letters to lawmakers, drafts of bills, employment applications, and grievance materials. Law enforcement agencies in counties or municipalities would make decisions regarding the availability of 911 tapes.
http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080130_State_Senate_passes_open_records_bill__goes_to_the_House_.html

Open-records revision passes state Senate
by JAN MURPHY, Of The Patriot-News
Wednesday January 30, 2008, 12:03 PM
The state Senate unanimously approved a measure today to strengthen the state's 51-year-old open records law. The measure now goes to the House for consideration.

Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware County, the bill's sponsor, said, "Pennsylvania needs a stronger open records law because transparency builds trust in government."

...The current draft removes a House-backed provision that would have prevented access to dates of birth. It also makes the law retroactive, covering existing as well as newly created records, another break from what the House had passed.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2008/01/senate_passes_open_records_leg.html