Public records.

Under the California Public Records Act, except for exempt records, every state or local agency, upon request, is required to make records available to any person upon payment of fees to cover costs. The act requires public records in the custody or control of the Governor when he or she leaves office to be transferred to the State Archives as soon as practicable. The act authorizes the Governor to restrict, in writing, public access to any of the transferred public records, or any other writings he or she may transfer, which have not already been made accessible to the public, except as specified. This bill would authorize the Secretary of State to appraise and manage new or existing records subject to these provisions, to determine whether the records are appropriate for preservation in the State Archives, and would require the Secretary of State to use professional archival practices, as specified.