SB 224- Relating to Public Records/Public Agency Contracts
On Friday, April 24th, SB 224, relating to Public Records/Public Agency Contracts, by Senator Wilton Simpson (R-New Port Richey) was substituted for HB 163 by the House. This legislation was then read for a third time and passed with 116 yeas and 0 nays.

This bill addresses the procedure for obtaining records relating to a public agency’s contract for services with a private contractor. As it stands today, the Florida Constitution provides every person the right to inspect or copy any public record made or received in connection with the official business of any public body, officer, or employee of the state, or of persons acting on their behalf.

However, the issue is who the party responsible for providing these public records is. If this bill becomes law, requests for records relating to a public agency’s contract for services must be made to the public agency instead of the contractor. An agency who receives a request for records possessed by a contractor must attempt to obtain the records from the contractor.

SB 224 will now head to the desk of Governor Scott to be signed into law.

AIF supports legislation that reduces frivolous law suits against Florida businesses.