AB 190/SB 194: Incentivizing Open Records

This bill enhances government transparency and accountability under the state open records law. If a state or local government entity withholds or delays granting access to a record requested under state open records law, the requester may file a “mandamus action” asking a court to order release of the record.

Under the bill, a court must award reasonable attorney fees and costs when a government entity turns over contested records in response to the filing of a mandamus action in court.