What is the fine for a second violation of OPRA within 10 years?

The correct answer is the fine amount of $2,500 for a second violation of the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) within a 10-year period. Under OPRA, the consequences for repeated violations are designed to enforce compliance with public access to government records.

When a second violation occurs within this timeframe, the higher fine reflects the law's intention to penalize recurrent non-compliance. The primary objective of these fines is to promote adherence to transparency laws and ensure that individuals can access public records without obstruction. The specific fine levels are established in the statute to serve as a deterrent, encouraging agencies and officials to maintain good practices regarding public records.

Understanding the consequences for violations under OPRA is crucial for municipal clerks and other officials to foster accountability and compliance in public administration.