Electronic Payment of Public Records Fees

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and text do not provide details on how agencies must set up their electronic payment systems.

Electronic Payment of Public Records Fees

This law requires government agencies in Florida to provide an electronic option for paying fees related to public records requests.

What This Bill Does

• Requires government agencies subject to Chapter 119 of Florida's laws to offer an electronic method for paying fees associated with public records requests.

Who It Names or Affects

• Government agencies in Florida
• People who request copies of public records

Terms To Know

Public Records Request

When someone asks a government agency for information or documents that the public can see.

Electronic Payment

Using the internet to pay money, like through a website or app.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how agencies must implement their electronic payment systems.
• It is unclear if all government agencies will be able to offer this service by July 1, 2026.

Official Summary Text

Electronic Payment of Public Records Fees; Requiring an agency subject to ch. 119, F.S., to provide an electronic option for payment of fees associated with a public records request, etc.

Current Bill Text

Florida Senate
-
2026

SB 44

By
Senator Rouson

16-00083-26 202644__
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to electronic payment of public
3 records fees; amending s. 119.07, F.S.; requiring an
4 agency subject to ch. 119, F.S., to provide an
5 electronic option for payment of fees associated with
6 a public records request; providing an effective date.
7
8 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
9
10 Section 1. Present subsections (5) through (9) of section
11 119.07, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (6)
12 through (10), respectively, and a new subsection (5) is added to
13 that section, to read:
14 119.07 Inspection and copying of records; photographing
15 public records; fees; exemptions.—
16
(5)
An agency shall provide an electronic option for the

17
payment of any fee associated with a request to inspect or copy

18
public records.

19 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.