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Bill

HB 151

Open records act-limitation on copy and production fees.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Marlene Brady and 5 co-sponsors

Wyoming bill caps public agency fees for copying and producing records to increase citizens' access to government documents under open records law.

H Received for Introduction
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Bill Summary · HB 151

Legislative bill overview

HB 151 modifies Wyoming's Open Records Act by placing limitations on the fees that public agencies can charge citizens for copying and producing requested records. The bill appears designed to reduce or cap the costs associated with accessing public documents, making government records more accessible to the general public.

Why is this important

Open records access is fundamental to government transparency and public accountability. High copy and production fees can effectively create barriers to information access, particularly for low-income individuals, researchers, and journalists. This bill addresses whether public agencies should be able to use fees as a practical constraint on records requests.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost burden on agencies: Public entities may argue that copying and production fees help offset legitimate administrative costs, and limiting these fees could strain already-tight government budgets
  • Scope of "reasonable" fees: Defining what constitutes excessive fees versus fair cost recovery is subjective and could become a source of ongoing dispute between agencies and requesters
  • Unintended consequences: Limiting fees might lead agencies to delay processing requests or implement other barriers (like requiring in-person visits) to manage high request volumes

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

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