Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday signed Senate Bill 270, a bill to set specific timelines that public entities in Alabama must follow when responding to public records requests. Sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr and Rep. Cynthia Almond, Senate Bill 270 is the most significant amendment to Alabama’s public records law in over fifty years.

Last year, upon beginning her second term as governor, Governor Ivey issued Executive Order 734, “Promoting Transparency in State Government Through Enhanced Accessibility to Public Records,” to deliver on her commitment to strengthen public confidence in state government. This bill largely codifies the Governor’s executive order and comes as a direct result of the governor’s leadership.