MINUTES OF THE

ALABAMA OPEN RECORDS STUDY TASK FORCE

Meeting held September 19, 2006 at 2:00 in Room 123, Alabama State House

Attendees:

Representative Blaine Galliher, Co-chair

Representative Cam Ward

Representatives of the following agencies as stated in HJR90 and others who were invited to participate:

Monty Feld, Legislative Reference

Sally Howell, AL Association of School Boards

Sharon Tinsley, AL Broadcasters Association

Felicia Mason, AL Press Association

Gilbert Johnston, AL Center for Open Government

Ed Bridges, AL Dept of Archives & History

Tracey Berezansky, AL Dept of Archives & History

Richard Wang, AL Dept of Archives & History

Tom Turley, AL Dept of Archives & History

Gail Traylor, AL Dept. of Examiners

Scott Morris, Alabama Public Service Commission

Scott Demick, ADEM

Sonny Brasfield, Association of County Commissioners

Anne Permaloff, AL League of Women Voters

Frank Brown, AL Dept of Archives & History

Eddie Johnson, AL Dept of Education

Thomas Treadwell, ALFA

Cutter Hughes, AL Public Library Association

Steve Gidiere, AL Law Institute

Leslie Sanders, Alabama Power Company

Bethany Bolger, AL Press Association

Dennis Bailey, AL Press Association (General Counsel)

Greg Cochran, AL League of Municipalities

Lori Lein, AL League of Municipalities

Fred Clark, Electric Cities of Alabama

Wendell Cauley, Electric Cities of Alabama

Douglas Lunsford, Alabama State Personnel Dept.

There were also several other guests and members of the press.

Rep. Galliher brought the meeting to order.  He reviewed the purpose of the task force and reminded all present that the task force had been divided into subcommittees to work on different issues regarding open records laws.  Rep. Galliher then discussed the future plans of the task force.  He told all present that after today’s meeting, he would give everyone 30 days within which to submit any comments, questions or suggestions to the clerk.  After the end of the 30 day period, Rep. Galliher stated that all suggestions for changes would be handed over to Legislative Reference Service.  At that point, LRS will draft a final document for all members to review.  He stated that it was his hope that by the end of the year, the open records bill will be drafted in its final form for introduction during the 2007 Legislative Session.

Representative Galliher then introduced the chairpersons of each subcommittee, beginning with Subcommittee A, who gave a brief synopsis of their subcommittees’ final draft, how they arrived at their final draft, and their concerns about the work thus far.

Afterwards, there was a brief question and answer session between members of several subcommittees and members of the task force.  Several issues were discussed and suggestions were made as to how to work together to correct these concerns.

Rep. Galliher revisited the future plans of the task force.  He stated that the goal was to come up with a template of legislation from LRS by the end of the year.  When asked by a member if there were any plans to have the entire task force meet again, Rep. Galliher answered that he did not think that it would be necessary.  He did state that he wanted to continue to have all the members’ input in the process and that he hoped that by 45 to 60 days after the 30-day period, there would be a document to be looked at by the entire task force.

Rep. Galliher thanked the members of the task force for their hard work and asked if there were any other comments.  Being none, the meeting was adjourned.

Approved:

________________________________________                _______________________

Representative Blaine Galliher, Co-chair                                                Date