April 24, 2017
The Honorable Brian C. Bosma Speaker
Indiana House of Representatives Statehouse
Indianapolis, IN 46204
MESSAGE FROM GOVERNOR ERIC J. HOLCOMB
Dear Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives:
By the authority vested in me as Governor of Indiana, under the provisions of Article 5, Section 14, of the Constitution of the State of Indiana, I do hereby veto House Enrolled Act. No. 1523, enacted during the regular session of the 120th General Assembly and related to search fees for public records requests.
While I understand the intent behind the bill to offset the considerable time and expense often devoted to fulfilling public records requests, I view this proposed legislation as contrary to my commitment to providing great government service at a great value for Hoosier taxpayers.
Providing access to public records is a key part of the work public servants perform and is important from a government transparency standpoint. I do not support policies that create burdensome obstacles to the public gaining access to public documents.
I vetoed HEA 1523 for these reasons; however, I support the provision requiring public agencies to provide electronic copies of public records in electronic format (such as emails) if requested.
Finally, I believe there are steps that can be taken administratively to streamline and improve the process for fulfilling public records requests, and I have charged my office to examine the best ways to provide public transparency and access to public records at the highest possible value to taxpayers.
Sincerely,
Eric J. Holcomb Indiana Governor
