In a move that has sparked criticism from free speech advocates and press freedom groups, Republican Gov. Jeff Landry of Louisiana has endorsed a bill seeking to restrict public access to government decision-making documents. The legislation, Senate Bill 482, would prohibit the disclosure of any records, including emails and messages, related to planning government decisions.

The bill, which was approved this week by the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee, has been met with concerns that it would impose a more restrictive level of secrecy on government affairs than similar measures seen in other conservative states. Critics warn that the proposed legislation would undermine transparency and accountability in state agencies and local governments.

Steven Procopio, president of the nonpartisan good-government group Public Affairs Research Council, expressed his concerns, stating, "There (will be) far-reaching consequences. This is not just the governor's office - it's any state agency, any local agency. It is a serious problem."

In a statement defending the bill, Gov. Landry argued that records of government deliberations have been "weaponized" to suppress free speech. Although he did not address the issue of public records access during his campaign, Landry asserted that his support for Senate Bill 482 is part of his broader agenda of reforming state government.

However, the governor's claims about the misuse of the current transparency laws were not supported by specific examples or complaints from public officials. When asked about these instances, Landry's press secretary, Kate Kelly, declined to comment.

Governor Landry has previously emphasized the importance of transparency and free speech as core values of his administration. However, his track record indicates a tendency to limit access to certain records. In a previous special session in February, Landry backed a bill that revealed some youth court records while also supporting efforts to restrict access to death penalty records.

Supporting the bill alongside Landry are Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and Attorney General Liz Murrill. This collaboration has raised concerns among journalists and advocates who argue that the proposed legislation would hinder the public's right to information and impede the media's ability to hold officials accountable.

Opponents of Senate Bill 482 argue that it goes beyond past legislation in its broad scope and potential implications. Under the bill's provisions, documents containing "advisory opinions, recommendations, and deliberations" related to government decisions would be shielded from public view at all levels of government.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Heather Cloud of Turkey Creek, drew strong opposition during the committee hearing from journalist Lee Zurik, who emphasized the value of public records in investigative reporting. Zurik warned that the proposed legislation would not only impede the media but also deprive constituents of vital information.

The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee passed Senator Cloud's bill with a 6-2 vote, with Cloud pledging further discussions and potential amendments before it reaches the Senate floor. Another public records-focused bill, Senate Bill 502, which seeks to impose identification checks on individuals filing requests, also gained committee approval.

The fate of Senate Bill 482 and other related bills remains uncertain, as they continue to face scrutiny and opposition from those concerned about the potential erosion of government transparency and the public's right to know.