Georgia Lawmakers Consider Mandating Written Records Requests

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The George House is considering a bill that would permit public officials to demand written notice for most open records, a step that open government advocates said could have a chilling effect. Lawmakers painted the measure as an effort to clarify requests and thus protect officials who face a fine of up to $500 for violating the records law. There have been only a handful of prosecutions in the 30 years the records law has been on the books. (2/9/07)