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Bill

SB 5535

Protecting human health from excessive air pollution.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Liz Lovelett and 5 co-sponsors

Reforms funding and budgeting for the Public Records Advocate, with new authority and reimbursements, plus an emergency clause to speed implementation by July 1, 2025.

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
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Bill Summary · SB 5535

Summary — SB 5535 (2025)

Relating to the financial administration of the Public Records Advocate; and declaring an emergency.

Main purpose

SB 5535 addresses how the Public Records Advocate (the office that assists requesters and agencies with public records requests and transparency issues) is financed and administered. The bill’s title indicates it makes statutory changes to the financial administration of that office and contains an emergency declaration.

Note: The full bill text is not provided here. This summary describes the bill’s purpose and likely effects based on its title and legislative history; for exact statutory language, budget numbers, and technical changes, consult the enrolled bill and fiscal documents.

Key provisions (general description)

Because the bill text is not included, exact provisions cannot be enumerated. Typical types of changes such a bill may include are:
- Defining or changing the funding source(s) for the Public Records Advocate (for example, establishing or modifying a dedicated account or receipt authority).
- Authorizing transfers, expenditures, or appropriation mechanisms to support the Advocate’s operations.
- Clarifying budgetary authority, reporting, or accounting requirements for the office.
- Creating or modifying fee authority, revenue collection, or reimbursement provisions related to public records work.
- Adding reporting, auditing, or oversight requirements tied to the office’s finances.
- The bill also contains an emergency clause, which in practice is intended to accelerate implementation.

Important: The precise financial mechanisms, dollar amounts, and statutory sections changed are only determinable from the bill’s enrolled text and fiscal note.

Who is affected

  • Public Records Advocate office: primary operational and budgetary impacts.
  • State agencies and local governments: possible changes in how they interact fiscally with the Advocate (e.g., reimbursement, fee structures).
  • Requesters of public records and members of the public: potential indirect effects if funding changes alter service levels, outreach, or the Advocate’s capacity.
  • Office of Financial Management / Ways & Means: entities involved in budgeting and oversight may have new responsibilities.

Timeline and legislative status

  • Introduced: January 13, 2025
  • Committee process: Assigned to Subcommittee on General Government; multiple public hearings and work sessions during Feb–May 2025; reported out with amendments.
  • Floor action: Passed both chambers in May 2025 (third readings May 7 and May 19).
  • Governor signed: May 28, 2025
  • Chaptered: Chapter 249, 2025 Laws (June 6, 2025)
  • Effective date: July 1, 2025
  • Emergency declaration: included in bill title (see enrolled bill for the practical effect of the emergency clause relative to the effective date).

Impact and next steps

  • Operational impact depends on the bill’s specific funding and administrative changes; these could increase or reallocate resources available to the Public Records Advocate.
  • For implementation details, review:
    • The enrolled bill text (Chapter 249, 2025 Laws)
    • The bill’s fiscal note and any implementing guidance from the Office of the Public Records Advocate or the Office of Financial Management
    • Any subsequent rulemaking or administrative steps taken by affected agencies

If you would like, I can locate and summarize the enrolled bill text and fiscal note to provide specific statutory changes and budgetary impacts.

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

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