Oklahoma public records are governed by the Oklahoma Open Records Act (ORA), codified at 51 O.S. §§ 24A.1–24A.34. The ORA is grounded in the Oklahoma Constitution’s recognition that all political power is inherent in the people — and the corresponding public policy that the people are vested with the inherent right to know and be … Read more
New Mexico public records are governed by the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), codified at NMSA 1978, §§ 14-2-1 et seq. The law declares that “representative government is dependent upon an informed electorate” and that all persons are entitled to “the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of … Read more
Alaska public records are governed by the Alaska Public Records Act (APRA), codified at Alaska Stat. §§ 40.25.100–40.25.295. The APRA establishes that all public records are open to inspection and copying by any person, and that agencies must disclose records unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Alaska’s framework is notable for its broad applicability across … Read more
Hawaii public records are governed by the Uniform Information Practices Act (Modified), known as the UIPA, codified at Haw. Rev. Stat. Chapter 92F. Enacted in 1988, the UIPA establishes both the public’s right to access government records and an individual’s right to access and correct personal records held by agencies. Hawaii’s approach to public records … Read more
Delaware public records are accessible under the Delaware Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at 29 Del. C. §§ 10001–10008. The law declares it vital in a democratic society that public business be performed openly so citizens can observe their officials and access public records to keep the government accountable. Delaware’s FOIA applies broadly to … Read more
Rhode Island public records are broadly accessible under the Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act (APRA), codified at R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 38-2-1 through 38-2-15. Enacted in 1979 — making it one of the younger open records laws in New England — the APRA establishes the public’s right to inspect and copy all records … Read more
Maine public records are broadly accessible under the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), codified at 1 M.R.S. §§ 400–414. Enacted in 1959, the FOAA is one of the oldest state open records laws in the country. The Act declares it the intent of the Legislature that the actions of public bodies be taken openly … Read more
Vermont public records are broadly accessible under the Vermont Public Records Act, codified at 1 V.S.A. §§ 315–320, with a constitutional foundation in Chapter I, Article 6 of the Vermont Constitution. The law’s policy statement is unusually direct: officers of government are trustees and servants of the people, and the provisions of the Act shall … Read more
New Hampshire public records — officially called governmental records since 2008 — are information created, accepted, or obtained by or on behalf of any public body or agency in furtherance of its official function, broadly accessible under the New Hampshire Right-to-Know Law, codified at RSA Chapter 91-A. Enacted in 1967 and amended repeatedly since, the … Read more
South Dakota public records are government-created documents, databases, filings, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are broadly accessible under the South Dakota Public Records Law, codified at S.D.C.L. Chapter 1-27. The law establishes a presumption that all records of public entities are open to inspection and copying by any person, unless a … Read more