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SB 493

PUBLIC RECORDS: Provides relative to public record production and fees. (8/1/26)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Reese

Sets standardized public record fees, offers free first 20 pages, caps paper and electronic copy costs, requires fee schedules, and expands nonprofit access.

Read by title; withdrawn from the files of the Senate.
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Bill Summary · SB 493

Summary of Louisiana SB 493 (2026 Regular Session)

Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Bill: SB 493
Sponsor: Senator Reese (Co-sponsor: Mike Reese)
Title: PUBLIC RECORDS: Provides relative to public record production and fees.
Effective date: August 1, 2026

Purpose and intent

SB 493 amends Louisiana’s public records law (R.S. 44:32) to clarify and broaden the framework for charging fees, providing copies (including electronic copies), and publishing fee schedules. The bill distinguishes between public records from state agencies and all other public records, establishes maximum allowable fees for non-state agency records, and expands access provisions for non-profit organizations.

Key provisions and changes

General approach

  • Retains the duty of custodians to provide copies of public records upon request, subject to payment of fees and other conditions.
  • Prohibits charging for staff time spent responding to a public records request.

Non-state agency public records (i.e., records not from state agencies)

  • First 20 pages: Free of charge.
  • After the first 20 pages: Maximum of 5 cents per page for paper copies.
  • Postage: Custodians may charge for postage to mail paper copies.
  • Electronic copies: Requestors must be offered an electronic option; electronic copies may be provided at a rate not to exceed $10.
  • Fee schedules: Custodians who establish and collect fees must publish a reasonable fee schedule and post it where the public can access it. The bill requires:
    • Posting in a readily accessible location.
    • Posting on the agency’s website.
  • Indigence/organizations: Copies may be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge to indigent citizens and to nonprofit organizations (the bill explicitly adds nonprofit organizations to those eligible for reduced or no charge).

State agency public records

  • Fees for state agency records must follow the uniform fee schedule adopted by the Commissioner of Administration under R.S. 39:241 or other applicable law.
  • Maximums: Fees for state agency records shall not exceed the maximums specified for non-state agency records under SB 493 (i.e., the same general ceiling applies, though state agencies still follow the established uniform schedule).

Administrative and procedural details

  • The custodian may request advance payment of fees.
  • Requestors with outstanding balances from prior requests may be denied further production until payments are settled.
  • The bill emphasizes that the fee schedule should be readily accessible to the public and, specifically, posted on the agency’s website.
  • Overall intent is to standardize and cap costs for most public records while ensuring access, including electronic access.

Who is affected

  • Public record custodians (state agencies and other public entities) who produce copies of records.
  • Members of the public requesting records, including:
    • Individuals and organizations (with special provisions for indigence and nonprofits).
    • Nonprofit organizations specifically noted as eligible for reduced or no charges.
  • State agencies, which must adhere to the uniform fee schedule but are still bounded by the bill’s overall maximums for non-state records.

Timelines and effective date

  • Effective date: August 1, 2026.
  • Provisions include a requirement to post fee schedules (and, for non-state records, to provide electronic delivery options) and to publish schedules on agency websites.

Practical impact

  • Creates a clear fee framework for non-state public records with explicit charges and a strong emphasis on transparency (public posting and website publication).
  • Establishes a free first 20 pages for most non-state records, followed by a capped per-page paper copy fee and a capped electronic copy fee.
  • Expands free or reduced-cost access to nonprofit organizations.
  • Requires custodians to provide electronic delivery options and forbids charging for staff time spent fulfilling requests.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current Louisiana law or a quick bullet-pointQ&A for common public-record requests.

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

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