State Senate considers public records amendment

California lawmakers are considering a constitutional amendment that would affirm the public’s right to inspect documents held by local governments while clarifying who should pay for making them available.

The amendment was written in response to a media outcry over a bill that loosened requirements on how local governments handle requests for public information. The changes were approved as part of the state budget as a way to save millions in reimbursement payments to those agencies.

Lawmakers later reversed the changes. But without further action, the state remains potentially liable for ongoing costs accrued by local agencies.

The constitutional amendment, SCA3, will be considered Tuesday by a Senate committee. It specifies that the state would not have to reimburse local governments for the cost of complying with the law.