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For the second day in a row, a legislative committee has approved a bill that advocates say would make it harder for the public to get records from government. The legislation changes the word shall to may when it comes to the award of legal fees when citizens file suit to get records,. Sponsor Rene Garcia says his legislation is in response to abuses by some law firms.

“What’s happening is that attorneys, not saying all attorneys, but unscrupulous attorneys are, after this public records requests are submitted to the cities, are filing suit immediately after this requests are made” says Garcia.

Public records advocates say the law will make it difficult for average citizens to hire an attorney because of the costs involved. Stew Liker, The publisher of the Columbia County Observer in Lake City sued a local hospital board over a record and won, but incurred three hundred thousand dollars in legal fees.

“The awarding of legal fees by the court is mandatory if a public agency is found in violation of the law, Its really simple, ,all they have to do is abide by the law” says Liker.

The proposed legislation also provides for a five day notice before a suit is filed.