Open records & FOIA

Gives any person the right to request access to federal agency records. Heavily used by businesses, law firms, and lawyers to obtain government data about competitors, regulatory proceedings, enforcement actions, and agency decision-making. Official portal: foia.gov.

Governs federal agency collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of personal information. Applies to information the government holds about individuals — relevant to tech companies whose products interact with federal agencies or whose data may be in government systems.

Alabama's public records statute entitles every citizen to inspect and copy public writings of the state, subject to a limited set of statutory exemptions.

Alaska's Public Records Act gives any person the right to inspect, review, and copy public records of state and local agencies during regular office hours, with narrow exemptions.

Arizona's public records law presumes all records of public bodies are open for inspection, placing the burden on the custodian to justify any denial or redaction.

Arkansas's FOIA gives citizens broad access to public records and meetings and is among the more liberal open-government statutes in the country.

California's Public Records Act creates a presumption of access to records held by state and local agencies and sets timelines for agency response to requests.

Colorado's Open Records Act (CORA) provides public access to most records held by state and local government entities, with enumerated exemptions for personnel and investigative files.

Connecticut's FOIA is administered by the state FOI Commission and provides a strong right of access to government records along with an administrative appeal process.

Delaware's FOIA gives citizens of the state the right to inspect public records and attend public meetings of state and local bodies.

Florida's constitutionally enshrined public records law is among the broadest in the country, covering virtually all records made or received by state and local agencies.

Georgia's Open Records Act provides public access to records of state and local government agencies, with response deadlines and a fee schedule for copies.

Hawaii's UIPA governs access to state and county government records and is administered by the Office of Information Practices.

Idaho's Public Records Act presumes records are open and sets a three-working-day deadline for agencies to respond to most requests.

Illinois's FOIA requires public bodies to respond to records requests within five business days and creates a Public Access Counselor to resolve disputes.

Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (APRA) guarantees access to records of public agencies, enforced in part by the Public Access Counselor.

Iowa's Open Records Law creates a presumption that every person shall have the right to examine and copy a public record of a government body.

Kansas's Open Records Act (KORA) governs public access to records held by state and local agencies, with enforcement through the Attorney General and the courts.

Kentucky's Open Records Act requires prompt access to public records and provides for appeals to the Attorney General when access is denied.

Louisiana's Public Records Law is rooted in the state constitution and creates a broad right of access to records of public bodies.

Maine's Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) establishes a right of access to public records and proceedings of state and local government bodies.

Maryland's Public Information Act gives the public a broad right to inspect records of state and local government, with enforcement by the Public Information Act Compliance Board.

Massachusetts's Public Records Law was substantially reformed in 2016 to strengthen access, impose response deadlines, and allow recovery of attorneys' fees.

Michigan's FOIA provides public access to records of state and local public bodies (notably excluding the governor's office and legislature).

Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act classifies all government data as public unless specifically classified otherwise by law, and regulates collection, use, and disclosure.

Mississippi's Public Records Act establishes a presumption of openness for records of public bodies in the state.

Missouri's Sunshine Law governs both open meetings and open records and is enforced by the Attorney General's Office.

Montana's constitutional right-to-know provision and implementing statutes create one of the nation's strongest public access regimes.

Nebraska's public records statutes give citizens a right of free examination of records of state and local government bodies.

Nevada's Public Records Act is construed liberally in favor of disclosure and places the burden on the government agency to justify withholding.

New Hampshire's Right-to-Know Law protects public access to governmental records and proceedings under Chapter 91-A of the Revised Statutes.

New Jersey's Open Public Records Act (OPRA) provides access to government records and creates the Government Records Council to mediate disputes.

New Mexico's IPRA guarantees the right of every person to inspect public records of state and local government, with narrow exceptions.

New York's FOIL creates a broad right of access to records of state and local government agencies and establishes the Committee on Open Government to guide compliance.

North Carolina's Public Records Law broadly defines public records as those made or received in connection with public business and provides for judicial enforcement.

North Dakota's open records statute is embedded in the state constitution and broadly presumes access to records of public entities.

Ohio's Public Records Act requires public offices to promptly prepare and make records available for inspection at all reasonable times during regular business hours.

Oklahoma's Open Records Act gives the people the right to know and be fully informed about their government and provides access to public records.

Oregon's Public Records Law provides a right of access to public records, with the Attorney General and Public Records Advocate playing oversight roles.

Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, substantially strengthened in 2008, created the Office of Open Records to hear appeals and promote transparency.

Rhode Island's APRA provides public access to records of state and municipal bodies, enforced by the Attorney General and through judicial review.

South Carolina's FOIA establishes a right of public access to records of state and local government bodies and sets response deadlines.

South Dakota's Open Records Law presumes records held by public bodies are open unless specifically closed by law.

Tennessee's Public Records Act gives Tennessee citizens a right to inspect public records of state and local government entities.

Texas's Public Information Act creates a strong presumption of access to government records and is enforced by the Attorney General through opinions, letter rulings, and litigation.

Utah's GRAMA balances the public's right of access to government records with privacy and confidentiality interests and creates the State Records Committee to hear appeals.

Vermont's Public Records Act begins with a strong policy statement in favor of access and applies to records of state and municipal agencies.

Virginia's FOIA provides broad access to public records and meetings of state and local government bodies, with required response timelines.

Washington's Public Records Act creates a strong right of access and has been construed by courts to favor disclosure in close cases.

West Virginia's FOIA provides broad public access to records of state and local government bodies under Chapter 29B of the state code.

Wisconsin's Open Records Law creates a strong presumption of complete public access to records of governmental bodies in the state.

Wyoming's Public Records Act gives every person the right to inspect public records during business hours, subject to enumerated exemptions.