For the fourth year in a row, state Senator Louis P. DiPalma has one item atop his Christmas list: an overhaul of Rhode Island's Access to Public Records Act.

Over the past three years, DiPalma has received nothing but coal, as his legislation has died while facing a fusillade of objections from Governor Daniel J. McKee's administration.

But with the 2026 legislative session set to begin Jan. 6, DiPalma is planning to file the exact same bill, which would make 48 changes to the public records law, addressing everything from traffic crash data to police body camera footage, from search-and-retrieval fees to fines for violations. 

DiPalma, a Middletown Democrat, said that while APRA isn't always top of mind, people expect easy access to public records involving "bread and butter issues" such as taxes, cyberattacks, and the Washington Bridge. "I'm not going away," he said. "The public wants it."

The Globe asked the candidates running for governor in 2026 where they stand on the legislation. Here are their responses:

Governor McKee, a Democrat, is seeking reelection, and his press secretary cited a statement his office issued about DiPalma's bill last session, saying, "Transparency is in the public’s interest — that’s not in dispute — but the state must balance transparency with privacy rights."

McKee's office said state and municipal officials have raised privacy concerns. For example, they say that disclosing the names of preferred license plate owners would violate state and federal law, that disclosing subpoenas prematurely could negatively impact criminal investigations, and that narrowing the exceptions for doctor/patient communications could put health care privacy at risk.
   
"As to cost," McKee's office said, "APRA was designed with the ability to charge fees to cover the costs of document collection, review, and redactions — and to discourage overly broad requests that take staff resources and taxpayer dollars to complete. Requiring public records officers, instead of the courts, to determine fee waivers based on 'public interest' or when there is a 'denial' will add significant risk and expense."

Helena Buonanno Foulkes, who is again challenging McKee in a Democratic primary, said she "strongly" supports DiPalma's bill, and she noted that the Access to Public Records Act has not been significantly updated in 14 years.

"It's unfortunate that this bill was blocked by Governor McKee," Foulkes wrote. "The Washington Bridge report is a glaring example of why these outdated laws must be changed. We need to shine a bright light on how Rhode Islanders' tax dollars are being spent and how decisions are being made."

Foulkes said transparency is essential to rebuild trust in government. "Without it, the public remains in the dark about decisions that directly affect their lives," she wrote. "This legislation would give Rhode Islanders the access they've been denied for too long.”

Aaron Guckian, a Republican candidate, said he supports the legislation.

"There are natural guardrails in there such as the provision against vexatious requests," Guckian said. "With anything like this, there should be a shot clock – basically a deadline to respond to requests. But you need to extend the deadline in extreme situations where lives are in danger, for example."

He called for using "modern technology and dashboards so people can see the requests and responses in real time and the improvements. We have to build trust in government — specifically in Rhode Island right now.”

Elaine Pelino, a Republican candidate, said the public has a right to public records but people also have a right to dignity and privacy. 

Pelino agreed with a provision aimed at releasing crash data. But she questioned a provision to make public the names of people who obtain a "preferred license plate" number. "I have one, and I would not like my name and address that could possibly go into the hands of someone with malicious or nefarious intent," she wrote. The bill would not make those people's addresses public.

"As far as police body camera footage is concerned," Pelino wrote, "I feel it is a benefit to both the police and other government agencies to have that footage available to the public."

Robert Raimondo, a Republican candidate who is a distant relative of former governor Gina M. Raimondo, emphasized the need to protect data privacy. 

"Government documents (including body cams and equipment used by government agencies) and records from public officials should be accessible to the public," Raimondo said. "The need for transparency is needed for all government officials, employees and government agencies, no exceptions!"  

Gregory Stevens, a Democratic candidate, described the bill as "very comprehensive" and "a lot to digest."

"I agree updating is required especially in regards to the items mentioned," Stevens wrote. "If I had one thing to change, (that) would be release of arrest records, only because an arrest doesn't mean a conviction and in the public eye they want to jump to quickly. (Over) all, transparency is extremely important."