Scored 8/10 on whether it helps or hurts everyday people.
The Public Record Bill
Hawaii caps public record fees, adds public interest waiver
Relating To Fees For Public Records Under Chapter 92f.
Good for everyday people ·
If passed, the bill would limit how much agencies can charge for searching and reviewing public records and could waive those fees when the request serves the public interest.
Our take
What we think, in plain words.
Citizens would pay less or nothing to see government documents, making it easier to stay informed and hold officials accountable; the bill now moves through committees, so public input matters.
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The facts
What the bill actually says, no spin.
- Caps search fees at $5 per fifteen minutes
- Caps review fees at $7.50 per fifteen minutes
- Allows fee waivers when disclosure serves the public interest
- Applies to records under the Uniform Information Practices Act
- Introduced by Sen. Karl Rhoads and currently in early legislative stage
In the news
Scanning the news for this bill…
Headlines gathered from across the news, starting points to explore, not endorsements. Always read the official text before acting.
Sources
Read it yourself: the official bill and records.
This bill is in the Hawaii Bill Book 2026
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