APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
________________________
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. ______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT KEVIN JENKINS
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF AB 1821 (PACHECO) TO AMEND THE
CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RECORDS ACT TO REFINE RESPONSE
TIMEFRAMES
WHEREAS, the California Public Records Act affirms the fundamental right of every person in this state to access information concerning the conduct of the people’s business; and WHEREAS, the California Public Records Act currently requires public agencies to determine whether a request seeks disclosable public records and to notify the requester within 10 calendar days, with a possible extension of up to 14 additional calendar days under specified circumstances; and
WHEREAS, public agencies are committed to transparency while also ensuring accurate, complete, and lawful responses to records requests; and WHEREAS, California Assembly Bill 1821 would modify the California Public Records Act to calculate response timelines in business days rather than calendar days, thereby providing agencies with clearer and more administratively workable timelines; and WHEREAS, the City of Oakland recognizes the importance of both timely public access to records and the practical realities of staff capacity, legal review, and interdepartmental coordination; and
WHEREAS, this legislation includes findings intended to further the constitutional principles of transparency and public access to government records; now, therefore, be it:
RESOLVED: That the City Council of the City of Oakland hereby expresses its support for California Assembly Bill 1821 and affirms the City’s ongoing commitment to timely, transparent, and lawful responses to public records requests consistent with the California Public Records Act; and be it
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2 FURTHER RESOLVED: That the City Clerk is directed to transmit this resolution to the City’s state legislative delegation, relevant legislative committees, and appropriate statewide organizations.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - BROWN, FIFE, GALLO, HOUSTON, RAMACHANDRAN, UNGER, WANG, AND
PRESIDENT JENKINS
NOES –
ABSENT –
ABSTENTION –
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California
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