# Fla. Stat. § 119.01: 119.01 General state policy on public records > Florida · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TX_C119_S119.01 ## Section - **Citation:** Fla. Stat. § 119.01 - **Heading:** 119.01 General state policy on public records - **Jurisdiction:** Florida - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Florida Code / Title X / Chapter 119 / Section 119.01 ## Text (1) It is the policy of this state that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person. Providing access to public records is a duty of each agency. (2)(a) Automation of public records must not erode the right of access to those records. As each agency increases its use of and dependence on electronic recordkeeping, each agency must provide reasonable public access to records electronically maintained and must ensure that exempt or confidential records are not disclosed except as otherwise permitted by law. (b) When designing or acquiring an electronic recordkeeping system, an agency must consider whether such system is capable of providing data in some common format such as, but not limited to, the American Standard Code for Information Interchange. (c) An agency may not enter into a contract for the creation or maintenance of a public records database if that contract impairs the ability of the public to inspect or copy the public records of the agency, including public records that are online or stored in an electronic recordkeeping system used by the agency. (d) Subject to the restrictions of copyright and trade secret laws and public records exemptions, agency use of proprietary software must not diminish the right of the public to inspect and copy a public record. (e) Providing access to public records by remote electronic means is an additional method of access that agencies should strive to provide to the extent feasible. If an agency provides access to public records by remote electronic means, such access should be provided in the most cost-effective and efficient manner available to the agency providing the information. (f) Each agency that maintains a public record in an electronic recordkeeping system shall provide to any person, pursuant to this chapter, a copy of any public record in that system which is not exempted by law from public disclosure. An agency must provide a copy of the record in the medium requested if the agency maintains the record in that medium, and the agency may charge a fee in accordance with this chapter. For the purpose of satisfying a public records request, the fee to be charged by an agency if it elects to provide a copy of a public record in a medium not routinely used by the agency, or if it elects to compile information not routinely developed or maintained by the agency or that requires a substantial amount of manipulation or programming, must be in accordance with s. 119.07(4). (3) If public funds are expended by an agency in payment of dues or membership contributions for any person, corporation, foundation, trust, association, group, or other organization, all the financial, business, and membership records of that person, corporation, foundation, trust, association, group, or other organization which pertain to the public agency are public records and subject to the provisions of s. 119.07. History: s. 1, ch. 5942, 1909; RGS 424; CGL 490; s. 1, ch. 73-98; s. 2, ch. 75-225; s. 2, ch. 83-286; s. 4, ch. 86-163; ss. 1, 5, ch. 95-296; s. 2, ch. 2004-335; s. 1, ch. 2005-251. ## Nearby sections - [Fla. Stat. § 119.01 119.01 General state policy on public records.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TX_C119_S119.01.md) - [Fla. Stat. § 119.07 119.07 Inspection and copying of records; photographing public records; fees; exemptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TX_C119_S119.07.md) - [Fla. Stat. § 119.10 119.10 Violation of chapter; penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TX_C119_S119.10.md) - [Fla. Stat. § 119.011 119.011 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TX_C119_S119.011.md) - [Fla. Stat. § 119.11 119.11 Accelerated hearing; immediate compliance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TX_C119_S119.11.md) - [Fla. Stat. § 119.12 119.12 Attorney fees.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TX_C119_S119.12.md) - [Fla. Stat. § 119.15 119.15 Legislative review of exemptions from public meeting and public records requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TX_C119_S119.15.md) - [Fla. Stat. § 119.021 119.021 Custodial requirements; maintenance, preservation, and retention of public records.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TX_C119_S119.021.md) - [Fla. Stat. § 119.035 119.035 Officers-elect.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TX_C119_S119.035.md) - [Fla. Stat. § 119.071 119.071 General exemptions from inspection or copying of public records.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TX_C119_S119.071.md) - [Fla. Stat. § 119.084 119.084 Copyright of data processing software created by governmental agencies; sale price and licensing fee.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TX_C119_S119.084.md) - [Fla. Stat. § 119.092 119.092 Registration by federal employer’s registration number.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TX_C119_S119.092.md) - [Fla. Stat. § 119.105 119.105 Protection of victims of crimes or accidents.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TX_C119_S119.105.md) - [Fla. Stat. § 119.0701 119.0701 Contracts; public records; request for contractor records; civil action.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TX_C119_S119.0701.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TX_C119_S119.01. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.