Key Open Government Laws

The primary four laws that regulate the public's access to government and government records are the Ralph M. Brown Act, the California Public Records Act, the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, and the Freedom of Information Act.

The Ralph M. Brown Act

Ralph M. Brown Act requires governing and advisory bodies of local government agencies to conduct government business in a way that the public can participate in decisions and scrutinize government actions. The Brown Act covers all aspects of open government from agenda-posting and meeting requirements to access to government records.

• Brown Act text
• Frequently Asked Questions About the Brown Act
• California Attorney General's Guide to the Brown Act

The California Public Records Act

The rights of access to information held by California state and local agencies (other than the courts and the Legislature) are defined by the California Public Records Act. The CPRA declares that all records held by state and local agencies are public, then goes on to define exemptions to the rule. Furthermore, other laws outside the Act constitute exceptions to it. (See Secrecy Statutes)

• CPRA Text
• Attorney General's Guide to the CPRA
• Frequently Asked Questions About the CPRA
• How to Request Access to Information, including Sample Letter
• Using Legal Action to Enforce Disclosure when Denied Access

The Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act

"It is the public policy of this state that public agencies exist to aid in the conduct of the people's business and the proceedings of public agencies be conducted openly so that the public may remain informed.that actions of state agencies be taken openly and that their deliberation be conducted openly," declares the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act.

• Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act
• Attorney General's Guide to the Bagley-Keene Act

The Freedom of Information Act

Access to records held by agencies of the federal government is governed by the federal Freedom of Information Act.  Many documents on file in state agencies are also filed with federal agencies that oversee federal regulations and expenditures. Many federal agencies have freedom of information officers to help people navigate the bureaucracy.