When you hear the words “public records request,” your mind might immediately jump to journalists. But everyday Utahns ask for public records more than journalists. Maybe a citizen wants to know how local law enforcement conducted a traffic stop, or notes from a school board meeting, or even where a property line is to put in a hot tub. Each makes use of the Government Records Access and Management Act. But big changes might be coming to GRAMA. On this episode of State Street, we talk to a First Amendment lawyer about the potential consequences and one of the bill sponsors about why he believes changes are necessary.
Voices:
- Jeff Hunt, First Amendment attorney
- Sen. Mike McKell, Majority Assistant Whip
Recommended Reading and Listening:
- Public pushback doesn’t slow bill that eliminates Utah’s public records committee
- Public opposition doesn’t stop bill overhauling Utah’s public records law
- With Utah’s statewide book bans, 2 school districts have steered the conversation
- These are the 22 books removed from Utah’s Alpine School District
- Utah counties received millions to battle the opioid epidemic. Many haven’t spent a dime
- Utah Jails Can’t Hide Records In The ‘Cloud,’ Lawsuit Claims