South Coast Air Quality Management District

Revise Public Records Act Implementation Guidelines

SYNOPSIS: 

State law requires the AQMD to have written guidelines for accessibility to public records in the AQMD’s possession. The guidelines currently in use were last revised in 1997. This action is to update the guidelines with regard to changes in the California Public Records Act since 1997.

COMMITTEE: 

Administrative, February 9, 2001, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Adopt Revised Public Records Act Implementation Guidelines.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The California Public Records Act (Act), Gov. Code Sections 6250 et seq., is designed to provide the public with access to records in possession of public agencies. Certain state and local bodies, including the AQMD, are required to establish written guidelines for accessibility of records (Section 6253.4). The public is entitled to inspect public records during regular business hours and request a copy of records that "reasonably describe an identifiable record or records" (Section 6253). A public agency is entitled to payment of fees covering the direct costs of duplication, other fees as specified (Section 6253.9), or a statutory fee if applicable (Section 6257).

Since AQMD’s implementation guidelines were last revised in 1997, the California Public Records Act has been amended. The guidelines’ references to Act provisions need to be updated accordingly. There is no substantive change in the guidelines as a result of this revision.

Proposal

This action is to revise AQMD’s Guidelines for Implementing the California Public Records Act to incorporate changes in the State law since 1997.

Attachment

SCAQMD Guidelines for Implementing the California Public Records Act

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