Todd Albert is reappointed as Oregon's
Public Records Advocate
Salem, OR (August 19, 2024) – Todd Albert has been reappointed by the Public Records Advisory Council (“PRAC”) as Oregon’s Public Records Advocate. Mr. Albert was first appointed by Governor Kate Brown and confirmed by the Oregon State Senate on March 8, 2021, and his reappointment marks his second term as Advocate. Following the passage of SB 500 in 2021, the PRAC became solely responsible for the selection and appointment of the Public Records Advocate. “This is the first time the PRAC oversaw the appointment of an Advocate and I believe the focused and conscientious way it was handled bodes well for future appointments. It also bolsters my desire to continue working with and for the council over the next four years on public records issues of importance to records requesters and custodians alike,” said Todd Albert in response to his reappointment.
During his first term, Albert oversaw crucial changes to the Office of the Public Records Advocate including the passage of Senate Bill 510 (2023), which created a designated funding stream for the Office and allowed the Office to be stood up as a fully independent state agency. Under Albert’s leadership, the Office has experienced a substantial increase in requests for public records guidance from both members of the public and state and local public bodies. “The increasing demand for the services of the Office of the Public Records Advocate demonstrates a growing awareness of the effectiveness of our assistance in improving the release of requested records. However, serious issues persist, and we will continue to work with all stakeholders to improve both the request and disclosure process and the law itself,” said Albert.
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