Alabama Public Records Law

= Short Description =

For a detailed look at Alabama, see this entry at Sunshine Review or the full text of its public records law (Sec. 36-12-40 - 41-13-44).

Who is covered?

 * The governor is not expressly covered by statute, but has been bound by public records law.
 * The legislature is covered by the statute.
 * The state courts are covered by the statute.
 * Advisory committees or boards are not mentioned in the law, but have been included by court decisions.

What is the process like?
Alabama does not charge search fees for people who request records and agencies are not required to respond to requests in a specific time window. Alabama does not have a specific statutory process for records requests.

Most recent changes?
= Legislation = The following are bills introduced in 2011:
 * HB25, to require monthly financial reports regarding General Fund and Education Trust Fund to be published on Finance Department's website.
 * HB259 for the purpose providing for the installation of an improved system of recording, archiving, and retrieving instruments and documents.
 * SB214 to exclude all records of the Alabama Impaired Professionals' Committee from public record.
 * SB 241 to establish an Innocence Inquiry Commission that is not subject to public records law.

= Articles, Blog Posts, etc =


 * Jefferson County officials meet in the dark - al.com, Aug. 7, 2001
 * Birmingham City Councilman claims the mayor has denied his requests to review public records - al.com, Jul. 19, 2011