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Bill

HB 130

RELATING TO FEES FOR PUBLIC RECORDS UNDER CHAPTER 92F.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Della Belatti and 13 co-sponsors

Hawaii bill adjusts public records request fees under Chapter 92F, potentially affecting government transparency costs and citizen access to documents.

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
#costs #officeofinformationpractices #publicrecords #waiver
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Bill Summary · HB 130

Legislative bill overview

HB 130 modifies the fee structure for public records requests under Hawaii's Uniform Information Practices Act (Chapter 92F). The bill adjusts how government agencies can charge citizens and organizations for accessing public records, potentially affecting the cost of obtaining documents from state and local governments.

Why is this important

Public records fees directly impact government transparency and accountability. Changes to fee structures can either facilitate or hinder citizens' ability to access information about government operations, budgets, contracts, and decision-making. This affects journalists, activists, researchers, and ordinary residents seeking information.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost burden: Depending on fee increases or changes, requesters may face higher barriers to accessing public records, potentially suppressing requests from individuals with limited resources
  • Agency revenue vs. access balance: The bill likely involves a debate between allowing agencies to recover costs through fees versus keeping records accessible to the general public
  • Consistency across jurisdictions: Different fee structures across counties and state agencies could create confusion and unequal access to information based on geography

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

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