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| central Biscayne Bay, low tide - ©jacob katel |
Florida. Best state in the union. Best of 50. And if we lose California to secession, best of 49.
Florida Sunshine Law has guaranteed us open access to public records since 1909, and according to a recent exercise of the amendment that guarantees it, alive and well.
Shout out to Jim Beauford
Communications Office
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES.
Just one business day after filing a public records request on a Friday at 8:30p.m., he has acknowledged my FOIA request, tagged it with a tracking number, and sent it on its way to the Bureau of Records for processing. The wheels of justice are already turning on their way to send a response, and that is just one thing that makes good old FL great already.
Here’s the letter I got in response to my request and sometime in the next two weeks, hopefully all of the records themselves.
Pretty cool.
Florida rules.
Stay tuned.
Dear Jacob Katel,
Thank you for contacting the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. In accordance with § 119.07(1)©, Fla. Stat., receipt of your public records request is hereby acknowledged. You substantially seek the following records:
“Good Evening, My name is Jacob Katel. I am an author and journalist in Miami-Dade County. I am writing to request a list of all the chemicals used in the production, manufacturing, cleaning, and disposal procedures associated with Protect Biscayne Bay specialty license plates including the disposal process for hazardous byproducts of manufacturing. I am also requesting a list of equipment used in the manufacturing process and cleaning agents used on any machinery. I am further requesting a list of the supplier/s or distributors of all the materials noted above. I request information on the design process for the Protect Biscayne Bay specialty plate and what company handles it, and a breakdown of the chemical components of the specific paint and/or reflective products used in the production of Protect Biscayne Bay specialty license plates. Finally, I am requesting information on the transport process for delivering specialty plates manufactured at Union Correctional Raiford to Miami, simply if they are driven by car, truck, train, plane, or boat between the manufacturing location and location for sale. I prefer the information in a digital format deliverable by email to this address. If there are any costs associated please provide an estimate first. This is all in reference to Biscayne Bay restoration projects for continuing media coverage. Thanks and if you have any questions feel free to contact me at this address. — Jacob Katel.”
Your public records request has been assigned Ref. # P862350–061025 for tracking purposes and been referred to the Bureau Of Records for processing.
Respectfully yours,
Jim Beauford
Communications Office
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES
DRIVER LICENSE AND MOTOR VEHICLE RECORDS: Records requests are processed without delay; however, due to high volume of requests received in Bureau of Records, please allow two weeks’ processing time from date of this message.
If you’re not familiar with Florida public records law, here is some info from the office of the Attorney General:
Citizen Guide to Public Records and the Sunshine Law in Florida
- You have the right to inspect and copy public records at any reasonable time, under reasonable conditions, and under the supervision by the custodian of the public records.
- You have the right to request public records without having to show identification, without saying why you want the records, and without making your request in writing.
- You have the right to request an estimate for the time and costs involved in producing your public records request.
- You have the right to ask for a written statement of the statutory basis for denying access to public records.
- You have the right to be present and unobtrusively record public meetings.
For more information regarding Florida Public Records and the Sunshine Law, contact the Attorney General’s Open Government Mediation Program, (850) 245–0140, or visit the FAQ section.