Members:
We are pleased to share some promising news regarding the progress of S-2930/A-4065, legislation aimed at modernizing the Open Public Records Act (OPRA). While we're not over the line just yet, the favorable passage of this bill marks a significant step forward in making various and long-overdue reforms to OPRA.
The Municipal Clerks Association of New Jersey (MCANJ) extends its gratitude to the Senate and Assembly for their bipartisan support in passing this legislation. We especially thank the Senate President, Speaker, Senator Sarlo, Senator Bucco, Assemblyman Danielsen, and Assemblywoman Flynn for their sponsorship and tireless efforts to reach this point.
This legislation is crucial as it not only preserves access to public records but also addresses privacy concerns that have been recommended for over two decades. Additionally, it helps level the playing field regarding attorney fees, which is a significant advancement in ensuring fairness for all parties involved.
While there's still work to be done on other reforms, we remain committed to collaborating with the Legislature to achieve further improvements. We are hopeful that Governor Murphy will quickly sign this legislation into law, bringing us one step closer to a more transparent and accountable governance.
Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to these important initiatives.
Michele Brobowski, President and Kim-Marie White, Past President
Good morning,
A sample resolution supporting S-2930/A-4045 is attached for your use. Please free to modify as you deem appropriate. Please send a copy of the adopted resolution to njleague(a)njlm.org<mailto:njleague@njlm.org>.
Please let your Assembly Representatives know you support and welcome open transparent government, but do not support commercial entities exploiting OPRA for financial gain at the expense of taxpayers and your residents losing their privacy because they applied for a license or signed up for a municipal program. Legislation that would modernize the Open Public Records Act (A-4045<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fpub.njleg.state.nj.us%2…>/S-2930<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fpub.njleg.state.nj.us%2…>) does not hinder a resident or journalist from using OPRA to get access to public records, but it will protect citizens' personal information from disclosure. It addresses the burdensome commercial requests that transformed OPRA into a commercial tool. It will reaffirm the original intent of OPRA to provide copies of records in the municipality’s possession and not create records or perform research.
It is anticipated that the legislation will be further amended before it is considered for final action. The NJ League of Municipalities will continue to provide us with updates on these developments.
Thank you!
MCANJ Website Manager
WebsiteManager(a)MCANJ.US
Hello MCANJ Members-
I’m reaching out to you all in one more attempt to have those that have been impacted by OPRA in their offices to contact their State Representatives. If you want OPRA to change-this is your chance to make it happen. It has been noted that the bill is anticipated for vote in May.
Please reach out to your Senator and Assembly Representatives<https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster> to tell them how your office has been impacted by OPRA, any OPRA requests you received that were cumbersome, resulted in a lawsuit to your municipality, staff you may have needed to handle your OPRA requests, fines you as the Municipal Clerk were imposed because of an OPRA you handled, or to offer your support to the proposed changes.
Any and all support for this monumental bill is going to be appreciated by the sponsors who have taken the time to listen.
As Municipal Clerks, we are on the front lines dealing with OPRA on a day to day basis, who else is better than lending our experiences to our Senator and Assembly Representatives<https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster>. As Municipal Clerks, we all know how OPRA impacts our offices, there is no doubt about it. With this bill, we have the opportunity before us to see the change that has been needed for years. The bill is not impeding one from filing an OPRA or preventing one from getting the records they are requesting. The bill delivers much needed reform to allow OPRA to continue the way it was properly intended.
If you have any questions on this bill, please reach out to any of us on the Executive Board.
Thank you for taking the time out of your day to reach out to your Senator and Assembly Representatives<https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster> on this important matter before them.
Michele
Michele Bobrowski, MMC, CMC, RMC, CMR, CPM
President, MCANJ
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