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SB 44

Electronic Payment of Public Records Fees

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Darryl Rouson

SB 44 mandates Florida agencies to offer electronic payment for public records fees, improving access and efficiency for individuals and organizations requesting records.

Died in Governmental Oversight and Accountability
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Bill Summary · SB 44

Summary of SB 44: Electronic Payment of Public Records Fees

Bill Number: SB 44
Introduced By: Senator Rouson
Introduced On: September 10, 2025
Status: Referred to Governmental Oversight and Accountability; Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; Fiscal Policy
Effective Date: July 1, 2026

Purpose and Intent

SB 44 aims to modernize the process of paying fees associated with public records requests in Florida. The bill mandates that all agencies subject to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes provide an electronic payment option for these fees. This change is intended to enhance accessibility and convenience for individuals and organizations requesting public records.

Key Provisions

  • Electronic Payment Requirement:
    The bill amends Section 119.07 of the Florida Statutes to require that agencies offer an electronic option for the payment of fees related to public records requests.

  • Redesignation of Subsections:
    The current subsections (5) through (9) of Section 119.07 will be renumbered as (6) through (10), with the new subsection (5) specifically addressing the electronic payment requirement.

Impact

  • Who Will Be Affected:
    This legislation will impact all state and local agencies in Florida that handle public records requests. It will also benefit the general public, including individuals, businesses, and organizations that seek access to public records.

  • Accessibility Improvements:
    By allowing electronic payments, the bill aims to streamline the process of obtaining public records, making it easier and more efficient for requesters to pay associated fees.

Procedural Aspects

  • Legislative Process:
    As of October 6, 2025, SB 44 has been referred to several committees for review, including Governmental Oversight and Accountability and Appropriations.

  • Timeline:
    The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, pending approval through the legislative process.

Conclusion

SB 44 represents a significant step towards modernizing the public records request process in Florida by introducing electronic payment options. This change is expected to improve access to public records and enhance the efficiency of transactions between the public and government agencies.

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

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