Senate again approves Open Records bill

Senate approves legislation limiting landowner liability

            The Senate again approved legislation during the session week of January 28^th to give Pennsylvanians greater and easier access to government records, according to Senator Bob Regola (R-39).  Senate Bill 1 would revamp and strengthen the state’s Open Records Law, which has not been significantly changed since it was passed in 1957.

“This is the second time that the Senate has approved this important bill and I hope the House will send it to the Governor as soon as possible,” said Sen. Regola, a cosponsor of the legislation.  “The phrase ‘right to know’ must have real meaning in the way the law is written and the way it is carried out by the state and local governments.”

Sen. Regola has taken a strong stance in the effort to enact government reform as he is the prime sponsor of the Taxpayer Protection Act Constitutional Amendment -- to set limits on state spending -- as well as a Constitutional Amendment to end “lame duck” voting sessions.

            SB 1 would make a key change by adding a “presumption” that all state and local records are public unless they fall under a specific exception.  The exceptions allow certain records to remain private, such as Social Security numbers, medical records, records that would threaten domestic security, and police investigative records.  The bill would also establish a state office -- the Open Records Clearinghouse -- that will be the first point of appeal for disputes and provide training to state and local officials on how the law is to be applied.  

The Senate also approved Senate Bill 497, legislation cosponsored by Sen. Regola, that would ensure that landowners who open their property for public recreational uses -- free of charge -- will not be held liable for accidents that occur on their property.

“The motorized recreational community has been advised that their future trail opportunities should come from private landowners,” said Regola.  “That’s why I cosponsored this legislation, to support those current and future landowners who will provide those additional riding opportunities for the motorized recreational community.”

In other action, the Senate State Government Committee endorsed legislation on Tuesday to give Pennsylvanians the ability to eliminate political “robo-calls.”  Senate Bill 820 would allow Pennsylvania residents to opt out of automated political “robo-calls” in the same way that they can opt out of telemarketing calls, by signing up for the state's Do-Not-Call List.  This legislation awaits further consideration in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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Contact:  Nate Silcox (717) 787-6063