SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 NEWS) - One year after a huge public outcry over HB 477, another bill dealing with the public's right to see state documents has surfaced.
Last year, it was HB 477 which caused hundreds to protest.
This year, the government records bill is SB 177.
But put down your pitchforks and torches, SB 177 isn't so bad.
What a difference a year makes.
That and some angry protests.
One year ago, HB 477 was hidden, and then railroaded through the legislature in a matter of days.
It would have kept many state documents hidden from the public.
Sen. Curt Bramble, the sponsor of SB 177, told ABC 4,
"It's clear that the legislature erred with 477, both in the content of the bill and also in the process by which that bill was brought forward."
Before 477 was repealed, it not only sparked protests, but also a petition drive to get rid of it.
It also left some raw feelings between legislators, the media and the public.
In March of last year, Rep. Mike Noel said,
"You guys (the media) are doing a lousy job of informing the people. a lousy job. Because you've
got a spin on everything that happens up here and I am really disappointed with you."
But a draft of SB 177 - obtained by ABC 4 - would create a state ombudsman to help with government records request.
It also may provide open records training for state employees, including legislators.
Finally, state texts, voice mails and emails would remain public records.
Senator Bramble told us,
"They are already covered and we're doing nothing in this bill to change the status of texts, voice mails and email."
But still up in the air (and not expected to be in SB 177) is exactly how much the state should charge for public documents.
Especially, when they are to be used for political purposes.
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