All Roll Calls
Yes: 130 • No: 48
UtahS.B. 2772025 General SessionSenate
Government Records Management Amendments
Sponsored By: Michael K. McKell (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Government RecordsDivision of Human Resource ManagementLegislative OperationsAdministrative RulemakingAdministrative Rulemaking and ProceduresDepartment of Government OperationsGovernment Operations (State Issues)Sunsets and RepealersArchives and RecordsNew Rulemaking Authority
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Abusive records requests face yearlong limits
A government entity can petition the director for relief from a requester it claims is abusive. The director considers request volume, abuse patterns, and substantial interference when deciding whether the requester is vexatious. After that finding, the director can excuse the entity from fulfilling requests from that person or their representative for up to one year. In court review, a respondent who substantially wins can receive reasonable attorney fees. The court must also find the government’s petition lacked merit and a reasonable basis in fact or law.
Audit records get a disclosure referee
Beginning May 7, 2025, the state auditor can send audit-record disclosure disputes to the Government Records Office director. The dispute must involve a record obtained during an audit that the audit subject claims is exempt from disclosure. The director decides whether to release it with the audit report. Either the auditor or the audit subject can seek court review.
More people can challenge records decisions
People harmed by an access denial or a decision upholding it can appeal even without joining the earlier proceedings. This right also covers people who did not request the records. The director reviews fee and access disputes and whether records are public for certified-copy purposes. Certain restricted higher-education records still require written consent from the institution that created, received, or keeps them. Access is also allowed when the director or a court finds the restriction was improper.
New office handles public records appeals
The Government Records Office director replaces the State Records Committee, with staff and support from the state archives division. Local governments without appeals boards send appeals from their chief administrative officer to the director. Local appeals-board decisions can go to the director or district court. For the specified authority’s board appeals, the office and director are not parties in court. The director appoints and supervises an ombudsman; mediation requires both sides’ consent, and either side can withdraw before it ends. The division must make rules opening covered appeal hearings to the public much like other public meetings.
Records release orders carry stronger penalties
The Government Records Office director hears covered appeals and can order records released. Government entities face civil penalties up to $500 per day for continuing noncompliance with a release order. This applies when the entity files neither a compliance notice nor a notice of intent to appeal. A public employee commits a class B misdemeanor by intentionally refusing release while knowing a final, unappealed director’s order requires it.
Records reviews balance access and privacy
People harmed by a record’s classification or designation can appeal without requesting access. When that nonrequester is the only appellant, a decision is due within 30 days after filing. The director weighs personal privacy against public disclosure interests when reviewing certain private records. After notice and a hearing, the director can change classifications for groups of records that conflict with records law. An affected government entity or interested person has 30 days after that change to seek a fresh district court review.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Michael K. McKell
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Moss, Jefferson
Affiliation unavailable
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/6/2025
Senate/ concurs with House amendment
Yes: 18 • No: 6
House vote • 3/5/2025
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/5/2025
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 44 • No: 23
House vote • 3/5/2025
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/5/2025
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/3/2025
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 11 • No: 0
House vote • 3/3/2025
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 2
Senate vote • 2/27/2025
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 21 • No: 8
Senate vote • 2/26/2025
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 18 • No: 7
Senate vote • 2/26/2025
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/26/2025
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/21/2025
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2025
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2025
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 2
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/27/2025Senate/ to Governor
3/17/2025SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/17/2025SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/14/2025SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/14/2025Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/7/2025Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/7/2025Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
3/7/2025SenateSenate/ received from House
3/7/2025SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2025HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/6/2025HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/6/2025HouseSenate/ to House
3/6/2025SenateSenate/ concurs with House amendment
3/6/2025SenateSenate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/6/2025SenateSenate/ received from House
3/6/2025SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ substituted
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ uncircled
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ circled
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact
3/4/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/14/2025
Substitute #4
3/5/2025
Substitute #3
3/3/2025
Substitute #2
2/25/2025
Substitute #1
2/18/2025
Introduced
2/13/2025