South Carolina FOIA bill gets moved to the full Senate, but may hit roadblock

Senators advanced a bill that would change how to resolve disputes over the state's Freedom of Information Act law, but the legislation could get stonewalled by opposition from some lawmakers.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to move a long-awaited bill to the full chamber Tuesday, over the objection of Sen. Margie Bright-Matthews, D-Walterboro, who doesn't want the state's Administrative Law Court to handle FOIA cases.

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Sunshine Week: How FOIA has brought light to key issues in South Carolina

The Post and Courier routinely uses the S.C. Freedom of Information Act to unearth crucial documentation for the benefit of all sorts of South Carolinians. The law is a principal method for holding the powerful accountable and shining a light on happenings that would otherwise remain in darkness.

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James Brown suit could change SC freedom of information laws

[A] lawsuit in South Carolina could change who can access public information, and it's already affecting a high-profile case centered around the Godfather of Soul. The biggest thing in question here is can you, a private citizen, be stripped of your FOIA rights if you're being sued by a public body?

That would change the game. It would mean a lot of time and money that people probably don't have.

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SC: Four rural fire departments fail to provide public records

A government transparency expert has said the Alvin, Huger, Longridge and Pineville-Russellville departments have disregarded South Carolina law even after the agencies have been given multiple opportunities over three months to make the information public.

In Berkeley County, 26 rural fire departments — which operate as nonprofits — are contracted through the county to provide fire service to unincorporated areas.

Because those departments operate using public money, they are subject to Freedom of Information Act requests.

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State FOIA Friday for August 16, 2013

From NFOIC:  A few state FOIA and local open government news items selected from many of interest that we might or might not have drawn attention to earlier in the week. While you're at it, be sure to check out State FOIA Friday Archives.

Indy district seeks records on takeover of schools

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NFOIC’s State FOIA Friday for June 7, 2013

A few state FOIA and local open government news items selected from many of interest that we might or might not have drawn attention to earlier in the week. While you're at it, be sure to check out State FOIA Friday Archives.

 

Bulldog open records lawsuit continues

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Pornographic email investigation: WIS asks for records, gets $30K bill instead

From WIS:  FAIRFIELD COUNTY, SC (WIS) – A WIS investigation into allegations that the Fairfield County administrator had disseminated pornography from his tax payer-funded computer has ended with a $29,395 Freedom of Information Act charge.

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