SACRAMENTO —AB 1393, a bill authored by Assemblymember Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and Assemblymember Bill Maze (R-Visalia), which would utilize the internet to make public records and documents available to anyone more quickly and easily while reducing costs was passed by the Senate on a vote of 40 to 0 last week, and now awaits action from Governor Schwarzenegger who has until October 14, 2007 to take action.

“For 39 years, the California Public Records Act has allowed citizens to remain informed about what their government is doing,” said Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco). “AB 1393 will bring the Public Records Act into the internet age by allowing easy submission of requests for public documents on state websites.”

The measure was inspired by an audit by Californians Aware that found that most state agencies were not complying with the California Public Records Act in requests for public records. “Accessibility and accountability to government records in a timely manner will be greatly enhanced with the enactment of this bill” said Assemblyman Bill Maze.

AB 1393 will require state agencies to have a Public Information Center portal on their websites that would facilitate public requests for documents and explain the process of accessing records. It also establishes a task force to look at the feasibility and cost effectiveness of making some public records available directly on the internet.  The measure was significantly reduced in scope when amendments where forced in the Senate Appropriations Committee that removed Attorney General review and enforcement provisions. 

“Access to governmental information and documents is essential to our democracy,” added Leno. “While the forced amendments to the bill were unfortunate, this bill still signifies a step towards openness and transparency at every state agency and our sponsors and I look forward to this bill becoming a law.”