SB 56: FOIA; procedure for responding to requests, charges, posting of notice of rights & responsibilities.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Virginia Freedom of Information Act; procedure for responding to requests; charges; posting of notice of rights and responsibilities. Limits the fees charged for producing public records to the median hourly rate of pay of employees of the public body or the actual hourly rate of pay of the person performing the work, whichever is less, and provides that a public body may petition a court for relief from this fee limit if there is no one who can process the request at the median hourly rate of pay or less. The bill makes corresponding amendments to the required statement on charges in the notice of rights and responsibilities that must be posted on a public body's website. The bill also amends existing law providing that a public body may petition a court for additional time to respond to a request for public records to allow such petitions to be heard in either general district or circuit court, to give such petitions priority on the court's docket, and to toll the response time while such a petition is pending before a court. The bill makes technical amendments, including moving provisions regarding charges for the production of public records into a separate section of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. March 10, 2026Left in General Laws
2. February 24, 2026Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (10-Y 0-N)
3. February 23, 2026Assigned HGL sub: Procurement/Open Government
4. February 12, 2026Referred to Committee on General Laws
5. February 12, 2026Read first time
6. February 12, 2026Placed on Calendar
7. February 6, 2026Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
8. February 5, 2026Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)
9. February 5, 2026Read second time
10. February 4, 2026Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
11. February 4, 2026Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
12. February 4, 2026Rules suspended

Showing 12 most recent of 17 actions. Full history