HB 4683

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Requires a public body to respond to a request for records submitted by a mass requester within 21 business days after receipt. Requires the response to (i) provide to the requester an estimate of the time required by the public body to provide the records requested and an estimate of the fees to be charged, which the public body may require the person to pay in full before copying the requested documents, (ii) deny the request pursuant to one or more of the exemptions set out in the Act, (iii) notify the requester that the request is unduly burdensome and extend an opportunity to the requester to attempt to reduce the request to manageable proportions, or (iv) provide the records requested. Provides that, unless the records are exempt from disclosure, a public body shall comply with a request for records within a reasonable period considering the size and complexity of the request and giving priority to records requested by requesters who are not mass requesters. Provides that it is a violation of the Act for a person to knowingly obtain a public record without disclosing the person's status as a mass requester, if requested to do so by the public body, within 5 business days. Allows the public body to deny the request based upon the violation. Requires a mass requester to notify the public body of an objection before seeking review of a denial of a request with the Public Access Counselor, and requires review by a Public Access Counselor before judicial review. Limits awards of attorney's fees to mass requesters under the Act. Defines "mass requester". Makes conforming changes.