Bill would require Alabama agencies to respond to public records requests

Spectators watch from the gallery as the Alabama Senate convenes for the 2023 legislative session on March 7 in Montgomery, Ala. (AP Photo/Julie Bennett) Spectators watch from the gallery as the Alabama Senate convenes for the 2023 legislative session on March 7 in Montgomery, Ala. (AP Photo/Julie Bennett)

By Jemma Stephenson / Alabama Reflector April 24, 2023 3 min read

An Alabama state senator has filed a bill that would require public agencies to respond to public records requests.

Senate Bill 196, sponsored by Decatur Republican Arthur Orr, would require requests for public records receive an acknowledgment within six business days. The office would have 16 business days to make a decision to approve, deny or deny in part the request. If denied, the agency would need to provide a reason.

Orr did not return a request for comment.

Alabama agencies average 146 days to respond to a request, according to MuckRock, a non-profit organization dedicated to open governments.