New Jersey Governor Signs Controversial Public Records Law

Critics argue the new legislation undermines government transparency and could foster corruption.

Governor Murphy's signing statement acknowledges the bill's unpopularity among advocacy groups.
The law ends 'fee shifting,' making it harder for requesters to recover legal costs for records denials.
New restrictions include barring access to most metadata and requiring specific search criteria for emails.
The legislation follows recent measures to protect the privacy of government officials and their families.
The bill's timing is contentious, coinciding with Senator Menendez's ongoing corruption trial.