Spring newsletter 2005
Georgia FOI Access

AUTHORS OF FOI-HARMING BILLS THIS CENTURY

By Tom Bennett

Atlanta, May 12, 2005 -- With three apiece, Rep. Jimmy Skipper of Americus, Rep. Larry Walker of Perry and Sen. Charlie Tanksley of Marietta are the Georgia legislators who have sponsored the most bills harming freedom of information and open government through the 2005 session of the General Assembly.

 GOV. ROY BARNES

-- 2000 --

There were none.

-- 2001 (3) --

Exempt home addresses, home telephone numbers. Social Security numbers, and insurance or medical information about teachers and employees of public schools. Official Code of Georgia Annotated 50-18-72-13.1. That year's House Bill 65. The co-authors were Reps. Tom Murphy of Bremen, Jeanette Jameison of Toccoa and Jimmy Skipper of Americus. Signed by Gov. Roy Barnes.

Exempt individuals' Social Security numbers, mother's birth name, credit card information, debit card information, bank account information, financial data and insurance or medical information, and if technically feasible at reasonable cost, the day and month of birth. However, Social Security numbers and day and month of birth shall not be redacted if the requestor states in writing under oath he or she represented a news media organization, and will use the information in news gathering. This exemption to the exemption for the news media shall not apply to teachers and employees of public schools. Official Code of Georgia Annotated 50-18-72-11.3. That year's Senate Bill 205. The co-authors were Sens. Steve Thompson of Powder Springs, Connie Stokes of Decatur and Charlie Tanksley of Marietta. Signed by Gov. Roy Barnes.

Exempt the names, home and work addresses, home and work telephone numbers and hours of employment of persons participating in carpooling or ridesharing programs. Official Code of Georgia Annotated 50-18-72-14. That year's House Bill 393. The co-authors were Reps. Karla Lea Drenner of Avondale and Jim Martin of Atlanta. Signed by Gov. Roy Barnes.

-- 2002 (3) --

Exempt for 50 years the U.S. Dept. of Defense form 214's filed by veterans with county clerks and intended to support claims for benefits. Official Code of Georgia Annotated 15-6-72. That year's House Bill 1203. The co-authors were Rep. Ken Birdsong of Gordon, Tom Murphy of Bremen, Larry Walker of Perry, Jimmy Skipper of Americus, Calvin Smyre of Columbus and Jack Connell of Augusta. Signed by Gov. Roy Barnes.

Exempt state auditor work papers until a final report is released. Also allows auditor of keep confidential documents he or she determines "are necessary to protect against a security risk." A six-months-old denial of an open-records request may be challenged in Fulton Superior Court. Official Code of Georgia Annotated 50-6-9. That year's House Bill 1285. The author was Rep. Larry Walker of Perry. Signed by Gov. Roy Barnes.

Exempt coroners' and medical examiners’ autopsy photos. A court "may condition any disclosure.. as... necessary." Official Code of Georgia Annotated 45-17-27(8). That year's Senate Bill 110. The co-authors were Sens. Steve Thompson of Powder Springs and Charlie Tanksley of Marietta. Signed by Gov. Roy Barnes.

GOV. SONNY PERDUE

-- 2003(3) --

Exempt the names, addresses and telephone numbers of 911 emergency systems if it is necessary to prevent the disclosure of the identify of a confidential source. Official Code of Georgia Annotated 50-18-72(a)(15). That year's House Bill 246. The co-authors were Reps. Ken Birdsong of Gordon and Curtis Jenkins of Forsyth. Signed by Gov. Sonny Perdue.

Exempt meetings and records that would compromise security against sabotage or criminal or terrorist acts. A court "may condition any disclosure.. as... necessary." Official Code of Georgia Annotated 50-14-3 and 50-18-72(a)(15). That year's Senate Bill 113. The co-authors were Sens. Brian Kemp of Athens, Ross Tolleson of Perry, Sam Zamarippa of Atlanta, Preston Smith of Rome, Randy Hall of Augusta and William Hamrick of Douglasville. Signed by Gov. Sonny Perdue.

Exempt unsolicited proposals from private entities to build mass transportation projects until a commitment agreement has been signed. Official Code of Georgia Annotated 32-2-78. That year's Senate Bill 257. The co-authors were Sens. Tommie Williams of Lyons, Liane Levetan of Atlanta, Brian Kemp of Athens, Charlie Tanksley of Marietta, David Adelman of Decatur and Bill Stephens of Toccoa. Signed by Gov . Sonny Perdue.

-- 2004 (3) --

Exempt recreation-program records identifying the names of children 12 or younger. Official Code of Georgia Annotated 50-18-72(a)(15). That year's House Bill 1358. The co-authors were Reps. Charles Martin of Alpharetta, Mike Boggs of Waycross, Larry Walker of Perry, Tom Campbell of Roswell, Mark Burkhalter of Alpharetta and Lynn Westmoreland of Newnan. Signed by Gov. Sonny Perdue.

Exempt home addresses and phone numbers of Revenue Dept. employees. Official Code of Georgia Annotated 48-1-2(14). That year's House Bill 1437. The co-authors were Reps. Richard Royal of Camilla, Glenn Richardson of Dallas, Larry O'Neal of Warner Robins, Tom Buck of Columbus, Jimmy Skipper of Americus and Jerry Keen of St. Simons Island. Signed by Gov. Sonny Perdue.

Exempt records of farm-water use by individual farms. Official Code of Georgia Annotated 2-6-52. That year's Senate Bill 436. The co-sponsors were Sens. Tommie Williams of Lyons and Jack Hill of Reidsville. Signed by Gov. Sonny Perdue.

-- 2005 (2) --

Exempt records maintained by public post-secondary educational institutions in this state and associated foundations of such institutions that contain personal information concerning donors or potential donors. Official Code of Georgia Annotated 50-18-72. That year's House Bill 340. The co-authors were Reps. Bill Hembree of Douglasville, Glenn Richardson of Hiram, Bob Smith of Watkinsville, Vance Smith of Pine Mountain, Richard Royal of Camilla and Johnny Floyd of Cordele. Signed by Gov. Sonny Perdue.

Exempt the home address, home telephone number, Social Security number or insurance or medical information about public employees. Official Code of Georgia Annotated 50-18-72. That year's House Bill 437. The author was Rep. Austin Scott of Tifton. Signed by Gov. Sonny Perdue.