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SB 974

AN ACT REQUIRING A STUDY OF STATE AGENCY RESPONSE TIMES TO FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUESTS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Anderson and 1 co-sponsor

Connecticut would study how quickly state agencies respond to public records requests to identify delays and transparency gaps.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Government Oversight
#freedomofinformation #reports #stateagencies #studies
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Bill Summary · SB 974

Legislative bill overview

SB 974 would require Connecticut state agencies to conduct a comprehensive study examining their response times to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. The bill mandates data collection and analysis on how quickly agencies currently fulfill public records requests and identify any systemic delays or bottlenecks in the process.

Why is this important

FOIA response times directly affect government transparency and public accountability. Delays in accessing public records can impede investigative journalism, citizen oversight, and legal proceedings that depend on timely government documents. This study would provide the first systematic assessment of whether Connecticut's agencies are meeting legal deadlines and where improvements are needed.

Potential points of contention

  • Resource burden on agencies: Agencies may argue that conducting comprehensive studies diverts staff and resources from actual FOIA processing, potentially worsening the delays the study is meant to address
  • Study scope and implementation: Disagreement over which agencies are included, what metrics are measured, who conducts the study, and how much it will cost taxpayers
  • Lack of enforcement mechanism: The bill creates a study requirement but doesn't appear to mandate corrective actions if delays are found, raising questions about whether findings will lead to meaningful change

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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