Editorial Staff

Nevada public records are government-created documents, data, and communications maintained by governmental entities that are accessible to any person under the Nevada Public Records Act (NPRA), codified at Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 239. Nevada’s legislature declared that “the purpose of this chapter is to foster democratic principles by providing members of the public with prompt … Read more

Oregon public records are government-created documents, data, and communications maintained by public bodies that are accessible to any person under the Oregon Public Records Law, codified at ORS Chapter 192. The law declares: “Every person has a right to inspect any public record of a public body in this state.” Oregon’s Public Records Law covers … Read more

Connecticut public records are government-created documents, data, and communications maintained by public agencies that are accessible to any person under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at Chapter 14 of the Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S. §§ 1-200 et seq.). Enacted in 1975, Connecticut’s FOI Act declares that “the actions taken by public agencies … Read more

Maryland public records are government-created documents, data, and communications maintained by public agencies that are accessible to any person under the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), codified at General Provisions Article, §§ 4-101 through 4-601, Annotated Code of Maryland. The MPIA, enacted in 1970 and similar in purpose to the federal Freedom of Information Act, … Read more

Missouri public records are government-created documents, data, and communications maintained by public governmental bodies that are accessible to any person under the Missouri Sunshine Law, codified at Chapter 610 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo). The law declares it the public policy of the state that “meetings, records, votes, actions, and deliberations of public … Read more

Indiana public records are government-created documents, data, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are accessible to any person under the Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at Indiana Code § 5-14-3. The law declares it the public policy of Indiana that “all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding … Read more

Wisconsin public records are government-created documents, data, and communications maintained by state and local officials that are accessible to any person under the Wisconsin Open Records Law, codified at Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31 through 19.39. The law establishes one of the strongest presumptions of openness in the country — the Wisconsin Supreme Court has noted … Read more

Minnesota public records are government-created data, documents, files, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are accessible to any person under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), codified at Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13. Unlike most states’ open records laws — which focus on what records agencies must release — the MGDPA takes … Read more

Tennessee public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are accessible to citizens of Tennessee under the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA), codified at Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-501 et seq. The law establishes a strong presumption of openness — all state, county, and municipal records shall … Read more

New Jersey public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are accessible to any person under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA), codified at N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 through 47:1A-13. The law establishes a presumption that government records are accessible unless a specific exemption applies, and it creates the … Read more