HELENA — The Senate has passed a bill that would allow a judge to award legal costs to all of those who prevail in right-to-know cases.
Currently costs are awarded to those who win public information lawsuits against the government, the most common type of lawsuit. But in recent cases where the government initiated a lawsuit by asking a judge to determine what should be made public, those seeking the records had to pay their own court costs.
Republican Sen. Terry Murphy of Cardwell says his Senate Bill 217 would make it easier for information seekers to recover their costs, while Republican Sen. Jim Shockley of Victor says the bill is about protecting citizens' rights.
The bill passed 47-3 on Wednesday. It faces one more procedural vote before heading to the House.
HELENA — The Senate has passed a bill that would allow a judge to award legal costs to all of those who prevail in right-to-know cases.
Currently costs are awarded to those who win public information lawsuits against the government, the most common type of lawsuit. But in recent cases where the government initiated a lawsuit by asking a judge to determine what should be made public, those seeking the records had to pay their own court costs.
Republican Sen. Terry Murphy of Cardwell says his Senate Bill 217 would make it easier for information seekers to recover their costs, while Republican Sen. Jim Shockley of Victor says the bill is about protecting citizens' rights.
The bill passed 47-3 on Wednesday. It faces one more procedural vote before heading to the House.
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Senate passes right-to-know legislation
STEPHEN DOCKERY, The Associated Press
HELENA — The Senate has passed a bill that would allow a judge to award legal costs to all of those who prevail in right-to-know cases.
Currently costs are awarded to those who win public information lawsuits against the government, the most common type of lawsuit. But in recent cases where the government initiated a lawsuit by asking a judge to determine what should be made public, those seeking the records had to pay their own court costs.
Republican Sen. Terry Murphy of Cardwell says his Senate Bill 217 would make it easier for information seekers to recover their costs, while Republican Sen. Jim Shockley of Victor says the bill is about protecting citizens' rights.
The bill passed 47-3 on Wednesday. It faces one more procedural vote before heading to the House.
HELENA — The Senate has passed a bill that would allow a judge to award legal costs to all of those who prevail in right-to-know cases.
Currently costs are awarded to those who win public information lawsuits against the government, the most common type of lawsuit. But in recent cases where the government initiated a lawsuit by asking a judge to determine what should be made public, those seeking the records had to pay their own court costs.
Republican Sen. Terry Murphy of Cardwell says his Senate Bill 217 would make it easier for information seekers to recover their costs, while Republican Sen. Jim Shockley of Victor says the bill is about protecting citizens' rights.
The bill passed 47-3 on Wednesday. It faces one more procedural vote before heading to the House.
