Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says he's not pursuing open records changes

MADISON — Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says lawmakers will not be pursuing changes to the state's open records law this session, despite a request from his office to have a bill drafted setting different standards for the Legislature.

Vos said Tuesday, September 8th that the bill drafting request submitted in July was done so there could be a starting point for discussions by a yet-to-be-formed study committee.

The bill his office requested be drafted would allow the Legislature to set its open records policy by rule, rather than by law as is currently required.

That possibility sparked an outcry from open government advocates Tuesday, since it would allow the Legislature to set its own policies separate from other governmental bodies without passing a bill that must be signed by the governor.