§ 7928.010 Governor Records Exemption Rules

(a) (1) For a Governor who held office between 1974 and 1988, Section 7928.005 does not apply to public records or other writings that were in the Governor’s direct custody or control at the time of leaving office, except to the extent that the Governor may voluntarily transfer those records or other writings to the State Archives. (2) Subdivision (a) does not apply to enrolled bill files, press releases, speech files, or writings relating to applications for clemency or extradition. (b) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, the public records and other writings of any Governor who held office between 1974 and 1988 may be transferred to any educational or research institution in California. With respect to public records, however, public access, as otherwise provided for by this division, shall not be restricted for a period greater than 50 years or the death of the Governor, whichever is later. (2) Records or writings shall not be transferred pursuant to this subdivision unless the institution receiving them agrees to maintain, and does maintain, the materials according to commonly accepted archival standards. (3) An institution receiving public records pursuant to this subdivision shall not destroy any of those records without first receiving the written approval of the Secretary of State, as custodian of the State Archives. The Secretary of State may require that the records be placed in the State Archives rather than being destroyed. (4) An institution receiving records or writings pursuant to this subdivision shall allow the Secretary of State, as custodian of the State Archives, to copy, at state expense, and to make available to the public, any and all public records, and inventories, indices, or finding aids relating to those records that the institution makes available to the public generally. Copies of those records in the custody of the State Archives shall be given the same legal effect as is given to the originals. (Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 614, Sec. 2. (AB 473) Effective January 1, 2022. Operative January 1, 2023, pursuant to Sec. 7931.000.)