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The Assembly State Government Committee Monday approved legislation to set lower and more uniform fees for copies of official state government documents.
Under current law, document copying fees vary widely, with some state departments and agencies allowed to charge residents seeking information up to $10 per page.
"If private businesses were to have the same copying fees as some state agencies, there'd already be a consumer-protection laws in place," said Assemblyman Joseph Cryan (D-Union), a co-sponsor of the measure. "Government shouldn't be allowed to charge an arm and a leg, either. There's no reason to overcharge for public information."
Under the bill, A-1095, the cost that could be charged to an individual for public records could not exceed 10 cents per page for letter-size copies or 15 cents per page for legal-size copies.The fees would be applicable to documents from the state treasury, the state Board of Public Utilities, motor vehicle accident reports, and other records available under the Open Public Records Act. Court documents would not be covered.
"The exorbitant fees some government offices charge act as a deterrent to anyone seeking public information," said Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (D-Middlesex), a co-sponsor. "It's plain wrong when high prices can be used to prevent concerned residents from being able to access information."
"Quite simply, government should not be making huge profits on the sale of public information," said Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex).
The bill was released 5-0 and sent to the full Assembly for a possible vote.
– TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
