A bill that would make it easier for people to collect attorneys fees if they win public records lawsuits, cleared a key House committee intact this week.
Versions of the same bill have sailed through the Senate in previous sessions only to stall in the House. Speaker Joe Hackney didn't like previous versions of the bill because they stripped all discretion away from judges hearing public records lawsuits.
The current bill, modeled on a Texas law, requires a judge to award attoneys fees in cases that are won substantially. Fees don't have to be awarded in close calls. Hackney supports the current version.
The bill also establishes a unit within the Attorney General's office to mediate public records and open meetings disputes.
"We prefer that people don't go to court in the first place," said Rep. Deborah Ross, a Raleigh Democrat and co-sponsor of the bill.
The N.C. Press Association supports the bill. The Association of County Commissioners and League of Municipalities do not. The bill still has one more committee to clear before the full House can vote on it.
Update: Post now explains Hackney's stance on the current bill.
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