Calif. lawmakers seek to enshrine open records law

Leaders in the state Senate are introducing a constitutional amendment to mandate that local governments comply with the California Public Records Act without being reimbursed by the state for their costs.

Democratic Sen. Mark Leno of San Francisco introduced the amendment Friday. Lawmakers could vote on it as soon as next week.

The move comes after Democratic lawmakers and Gov. Jerry Brown backtracked on a bill included in the budget package that was approved last week. That bill would have made compliance with the records law optional for local governments.

Leno says SCA3 would permanently uphold the right of Californians to “inspect public records and attend public meetings.”

It needs two-thirds support in both legislative chambers to pass. If approved, the amendment would appear on the June 2014 ballot.