The sponsor of a controversial bill that would have protected most records in the Louisiana governor's office from the public withdrew the bill Monday, nullifying consideration in the Legislature.
Sen. Jay Morris, R-West Monroe, rode a tank. Senate Bill 423, he and two other Republicans with proposals to rein in Louisiana's public records law had earmarked it as a measure to advance this session. The remaining two bills are Senate Bill 482 Sen. Heather Cloud, R-Turkey Creek; Senate Bill 502 Sen. Blake Miguez (R-New Iberia) is surviving, but his future path is unclear.
Mr. Morris' bill originally limited Louisiana residents' access to public records, but he introduced amendments that incorporate elements of Mr. Cloud and Miguez's bill. This amendment was never formally adopted, but was touted as a compromise. They would have protected most records in the governor's office from public access, restricted access to public records to Louisiana residents, and required proof of identification from individuals.
Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, a sponsor of the bill that seeks to govern the state's public records laws, has argued that such requests are weaponized.
In withdrawing the bill, Morris said he understands the governor's concerns but needs to balance the governor's privacy concerns with the public interest.
“The perception around these bills is that everyone is trying to hide something,” Morris said. “I never want to be involved in trying to hide anything.”
Morris later clarified on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) that he doesn't think anyone, including Landry, is trying to hide anything.
Senate President Cameron Henry (R-Metarie) said in an interview that he doesn't think Mr. Miguez and Mr. Cloud will try to bring the bill to a vote. Miguez said. defender He is considering his options.
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Public records laws protect the public's right to know what the government is doing. These are part of the Sunshine Act, which states and the federal government have enacted to ensure transparency. Journalists and watchdog groups use public records to investigate government efficiency and wrongdoing. Any citizen interested in how the government is run can request public records.
Cloud introduced amendments to the bill Monday afternoon, which also did not come to a vote. Her bill is the most far-reaching public records proposal. Under normal circumstances, most public records at all levels of government would have been exempt from public disclosure.
In introducing an amendment that would limit the bill to protecting records related to the governor's schedule, Cloud said Morris would “pick up the torch.”
Miguez's bill, which would restrict Louisiana residents' access to public records and require them to submit photo identification before requests can be met, has not seen any movement or public discussion.
The three bills are opposed by conservative and liberal advocacy groups, as well as nonpartisan good government groups such as the Louisiana Public Affairs Research Council, which criticized Morris' bill in an unusual rebuke.
“The public should be able to review and consider information about who the governor meets with, who influences him and his staff, and how decisions are made about how tax dollars are spent and how state government is led. And the people of Louisiana can hold their elected officials accountable. That's how democracy works.” The group wrote in the comments:.
If the Cloud and Miguez bills move forward, they could be amended to allow broader exemptions, but both face hurdles such as skepticism from senators and Congressional time running out. With just three weeks left, controversial bills that have yet to pass the floor face time constraints.
You are most likely to pass the House Bill 461 Records related to local and parish economic development projects will be exempted by Rep. Stephen Jackson (D-Shreveport).cleared Senate Governmental Affairs Committee last week.
