Utah lawmakers considering records law repeal

By The AP
Friday, March 25, 2011

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah legislators are considering repealing changes to the state’s open records law that exempts text messages from public scrutiny and increases the cost of records requests.

A special session will begin at noon today and is expected to finish within a few hours.

Gov. Gary Herbert called for the special session Monday after the House Republican caucus decided to support a repeal of House Bill 477.

Herbert says he expects the repeal to pass, despite some opposition from Senate Republicans.

A working group is already reviewing the open records law to find ways to adapt it to new technologies, including text messages, voice mails and emails.

The bill was passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor earlier this month.