public records; digital media; copies

SB 1340 requires Arizona state and local government entities to store permanent public records on durable digital media that meets standards set by the Arizona State Library, Archives, and Public Records. It mandates that officials create certified digital copies before destroying paper records and prohibits destroying paper records without this step. Violating these requirements constitutes a class 2 misdemeanor. The bill directly affects all government offices handling public records, including cities, counties, and state agencies, by changing how they must maintain and transition records to digital formats. This is a procedural update to public records law, not a substantive policy change.