Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal signed into law on Monday a bill allowing athletic departments of public schools in the state, including the University of Georgia, up to 90 business days to respond to open records requests.

Senate Bill 323 had an 11th hour house amendment concerning athletics that increased the time to respond from only three business days.

"This is an economic development bill and the governor supported the inclusion of the language regarding athletics," Jen Talaber Ryan, deputy chief of staff for communications for the governor, said via email. "It simply levels the playing field with other states that also have strong athletic programs like Georgia."

Rep. Earl Ehrhart, R-Powder Springs, and State Senator Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, mentioned requests for "recruiting information" as the reason for the amendment. The bill covers any request for athletics. Salary information of non-clerical staff isn't included in the change to 90 business days.

New Georgia football coach Kirby Smart visited the state capitol on Feb. 23 and said he discussed differences in open records laws.

Alabama's open records act does not give a specific time to respond.

"I was asked what's the difference in our program and some programs I've been in at the past," Smart said. "One of the things I brought up is there's a difference. That was the extent of my conversation with those guys about that."

Advocates for open records and many state newspapers' editorial boards strongly opposed a change they say gave athletic departments more time than any state agency to conduct business in secret.

Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity said the law "would really help us out administratively and allow us more time to facilitate the vast number of requests we receive."

Smart, McGarity and UGA president Jere Morehead visited the state capitol on Feb. 23.

"The purpose of this visit is to introduce Coach Smart to key state officials," according to a memo from UGA associate vice president for government relations Toby Carr to Morehead that was obtained by the Athens Banner-Herald in an open records request.

There is no mention of the open records law in the memo.

Smart's visit of nearly four hours started with 20 minutes of "solo time" with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and visits to the house and senate chambers (a resolution was read in the house recognizing and commending his selection as coach). He was to have a one-hour lunch in a conference room in the governor's office with Deal and his senior staff as well as McGarity, Morehead, Carr and UGA vice president for government relations Griff Doyle. The visit concluded with 20 minutes of "solo time" with House Speaker David Ralston.

Cagle said before the revised bill passed in the Senate: "I hope it brings us a national championship is what I hope."