INDIANAPOLIS (AP): An Indiana bill that would allow a fee for public records requests that take longer than two hours to fulfill will be sent to Gov. Mike Pence's desk.
Senate members Wednesday approved a measure that would allow government entities to charge as much as $20 an hour to search for records requests that take more than two hours. It would also allow entities making requesters to receive them electronically.
The provision was removed from an education bill earlier this session, but the House revived the language Tuesday.
Supporters say government agencies are bogged down by large requests. Critics argue the measure gives officials another tool to fight transparency.
The Hoosier State Press Association supports the measure, saying the benefit of getting records electronically outweighs the potential negatives of a fee.
