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

Colorado public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are accessible to any person under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), codified at C.R.S. §§ 24-72-200.1 through 24-72-206. The law establishes a presumption that all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable … Read more

Arizona public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are accessible to any person under the Arizona Public Records Law, codified at A.R.S. §§ 39-121 through 39-161. The law establishes a broad presumption of openness — any person may inspect public records at all times during office … Read more

Virginia public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are accessible to citizens of the Commonwealth under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA), codified at Virginia Code §§ 2.2-3700 through 2.2-3714. The law establishes a presumption that all public records are open to inspection and copying … Read more

Washington State public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are broadly accessible to the public under the Public Records Act (PRA), codified at RCW Chapter 42.56. The law establishes a strong presumption that all government records are open unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Washington’s PRA … Read more

Michigan public records are government-created documents, filings, databases, and communications maintained by state and local agencies that are generally accessible to the public under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at MCL 15.231 et seq. (Act 442 of 1976). The law provides that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding … Read more