South Dakota Senate OKs Records Bill that Presumes Openness

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With the help of three Republicans, Democrats in the South Dakota Senate passed a new public records bill that establishes a statutory presumption of openness of state records. It puts the burden on a government entity that wants to withhold a record to show there is a good reason in the law to do so. The Senate also approved a companion bill that lets a citizen denied a record to file a complaint with the state Office Hearing Examiners to get a ruling. The bills now go to the House. (2/12/08)