New Jersey Pauses Overhaul of Open Records Law Amid Backlash

Legislative leaders in New Jersey have halted progress on a controversial open records bill to consider amendments after widespread opposition.

New Jersey lawmakers have delayed a bill that would have overhauled the state's Open Public Records Act (OPRA), following significant pushback from civil rights groups, unions, and media organizations.
The proposed legislation aimed to update OPRA but faced criticism for potentially making government less transparent by limiting public access to records.
Key provisions under debate include removing the requirement for government agencies to pay attorney fees in legal battles over records, and restricting access to emails and call logs.
Governor Phil Murphy expressed openness to the bill, provided it does not undermine transparency, highlighting the need for a balance between public access and protecting against excessive or harassing requests.
The pause for amendments comes as advocates for government transparency in New York push for more disclosure requirements, signaling a broader regional discussion on public access to government records.