From the Charlotte Observer (7/8/09): Lobbyists for North Carolina's local government officials are resisting legislation that would force governments to pay legal fees after losing a lawsuit to release documents.
The House Finance Committee on Wednesday again considers a bill that would make it easier for news media outlets and individuals suing in public records lawsuits to collect attorney fees if the documents are released.
Judges now can deny the payment if they think the government body has substantial justification to deny access.
Lobbyists say more than 1,500 state and local government agencies, boards and commissions would be subject to the law. The bill would have to clear votes in the committee, the full House and then the Senate, which approved a similar measure last year.
AP Report