A lawmaker publicly at odds with Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed his proposal to solve Florida’s slow public records responses through the House on a unanimous vote.
He acknowledged its fate in the Senate, however: Certain death.
Rep. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola, filed the measure to combat sluggish responses to records requests and exorbitant costs imposed. The legislation (HB 437) gives record-keepers three business days to hand over records or give a “good faith” estimate of how much longer they need.
Rep. Alex Andrade listens during the joint session Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.
But Andrade said none of his bills has ever passed the first time introduced in the years he’s served in the House. He’s term limited and this will be his last session.
“After we send it over to the Senate and it dies, I would ask as a point of personal privilege somebody consider looking through it, working through the policy, (and) if you find it in your heart, maybe giving up one of your bill slots next year to try and run it again,” Andrade said March 4.
More: Florida lawmaker takes on DeSantis over public’s right-to-know
Unlike the dozens of public records-related bills filed by lawmakers this legislative session that aim to add more exemptions to the state’s open information laws, this measure stands out since it demonstrates an effort to hold record-keepers accountable and mitigate secrecy.
It’s more than just timeliness, though, since the law aims to make it easier and more affordable for reporters, researchers, advocacy groups and others seeking records. Records fees can sometimes reach into the thousands of dollars.
The Florida House of Representatives and Senate convene for the Governor’s State of the State Address on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.
It’s also about accountability, Andrade said. He told a POLITICO Florida reporter earlier this year that the measure puts pressure on the governor and Attorney General James Uthmeier to be more transparent, saying it was a “real shame the bill is even necessary.”
The problem stems not only from costs, but also from some records requests taking months or years to be fulfilled, or to hear no word back on requests.
Andrade has been at odds with the DeSantis administration since leading a Florida House investigation into the Hope Florida Foundation, tied to an initiative spearheaded by Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis.
Attorney General James Uthmeier chats with fellow lawmakers Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.
DeSantis and others have denied wrongdoing after House lawmakers looked into the foundation, which is the fundraising arm of the Hope Florida program.
Allegations surfaced that part of a $67 million Medicaid contractor settlement was improperly put into a political committee headed by Uthmeier, then the governor’s chief of staff, aimed at defeating proposed constitutional amendments on recreational marijuana and abortion during the 2024 elections.
This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA Today Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Stephany Matat is based in Tallahassee, Fla. She can be reached at SMatat@gannett.com. On X: @stephanymatat.Â
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Drive to hasten Florida public records releases hits wall