Legislation introduced Monday in the N.C. House would allow plaintiffs who sue public agencies for refusing to release public records to recover legal fees.
The Charlotte Observer reports the bill would also create an “open government unit” within the Department of Justice:
The unit would be charged with educating officials and the public about the public records law. The unit also would attempt to mediate public records and open meetings disputes.
The N.C. Press Association has argued that automatic recovery of fees in records lawsuits is necessary because the cost of taking a government or agency to court could be prohibitive. John Bussian, a lawyer and lobbyist for the association, said public officials have no fear of improperly withholding public records because so few people can afford to sue.
Read the full text of the bill here.
