Public records: contracts for goods and services.

Existing law, the California Public Records Act, requires public records to be open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency that retains those records, and provides that every person has a right to inspect any public record, except as provided. The act requires state and local agencies to make public records available upon receipt of a request for a copy that reasonably describes an identifiable record not otherwise exempt from disclosure, and upon payment of fees to cover costs. This bill would provide that any executed contract for the purchase of goods or services by a state or local agency, including the price and terms of payment, is a public record subject to disclosure under the act. The bill would provide that any provision in a written agreement that purports to exclude a contract specified above from disclosure by agreeing to consider it a confidential or proprietary record of the vendor is void and unenforceable as a matter of law. By placing additional duties and responsibilities upon local agencies in connection with requests for inspection of records, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires local agencies, for the purpose of ensuring public access to the meetings of public bodies and the writings of public officials and agencies, to comply with a statutory enactment that amends or enacts laws relating to public records or open meetings and contains findings demonstrating that the enactment furthers the constitutional requirements relating to this purpose. This bill would make legislative findings to that effect. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.