Most other states, including Pennsylvania, typically charge 15 to 25 cents a page, while all New Jersey departments and many local governments had been charging 75 cents a page for the first 10 pages, 50 cents for the next 10, and 25 cents for the rest.
The court suggested the Legislature pass a new law to adopt "reasonable" fees to promote transparency and good government, but in lieu of that, public entities would have to calculate rates based on annual paper and toner costs.
On June 28, the Legislature unanimously approved a bill establishing a nickel as the uniform rate (with a two-cent bump for legal-size copies). But Gov. Christie hasn't signed it.
Christie spokesman Sean Conner said the bill was among several the governor was reviewing. A bill sponsor said he had been informed that Christie felt the rate was too low and might issue a conditional veto. Conner said he had not heard that.
Pennsylvania laws say agencies may waive fees for the first 20 pages and then may charge 15 to 25 cents a page. There are exceptions. The Philadelphia police may collect $25 for an accident report, and recorders of deeds may get 50 cents a page.
New Jersey has long overcharged the public for copies, according to Ron Miskoff, president of the state Foundation for Open Government. When he was at a national conference of the Freedom of Information Coalition last summer, "people were gasping when I told them the price in New Jersey," he said. He pegged the average rate elsewhere at 15 cents.
"The price of photocopies is a very important topic for citizen activists" who are "watching the government," Miskoff said.
