The Mississippi Public Records Act says only that public bodies can charge no more than the “actual cost” to search, review or duplicate records.
Two state legislators tried this session to clarify what public bodies can charge for records, but both bills died in the Senate.
“We have public records law to allow people to have access to public records,” said Rep. David Norquist, D-Cleveland, whose bill passed the House. “It’s unfortunate that there are some agencies that are attempting to use the cost of copying as a way to prohibit production of those documents.
“My bill was aimed at trying to curb those activities. I don’t know what’s more concerning – the fact that such actions are happening, or the fact that a bill like mine could get no traction to curb those actions.”
