Bill Gives FOI Winners Attorney’s Fees

From Sunshine Review

February 25, 2009

Bill Gives FOI Winners Attorney’s Fees

"A House panel Tuesday endorsed measures that would allow plaintiffs in Freedom of Information Act challenges to recover attorney’s fees from government officials and allow the past 10 years of a drunken driving suspect’s criminal history to be considered.

Both measures go to the House.

House Bill 1326 by Rep. Lindsley Smith, D-Fayetteville, which would allow, in most cases, plaintiffs who “substantially prevail” in FOI lawsuits to collect attorney’s fees, was unanimously recommended by the House Judiciary Committee.

The measure does not allow courts to force state agencies to pay attorney’s fees in FOI cases. Under the proposal, a claim could be filed with the State Claims Commission to recover attorney’s fees." Read the full article here.