Which states have open records?

Asked by: Mrs. Tomasa Lesch V  |  Last update: June 28, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (8 votes)

Many states simply file open or public records under the Public Records Requests law. Several states across the country are using this term including: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, California (CPRA), Idaho, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.

How many states have FOIA?

All fifty U.S. states and the District of Columbia also have freedom of information laws that govern the public's access to government records at state and local levels. These laws go by many different names including Sunshine Laws, Public Records Laws, Open Records Laws, etc.

What states have sunshine laws?

State Sunshine Laws
  • Alabama Public Records Act.
  • Alabama Open Meetings Act.
  • Arkansas FOIA.
  • Florida Public Meetings Act.
  • Florida Public Records Act.
  • Georgia Public Records Act.
  • Georgia Open Meetings Act.
  • Kentucky Open Records and Open Meetings Act.

Does Texas have an open records law?

Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, gives you the right to access government records; and an officer for public information and the officer's agent may not ask why you want them. All government information is presumed to be available to the public.

Is Florida an open records state?

It is the policy of the state of Florida that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person.

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Do all states have public records?

To help increase transparency and public awareness of government decision-making, all 50 states have enacted laws that require certain government records to be open to the public.

Is Florida a no record state?

Florida makes it a crime to intercept or record a "wire, oral, or electronic communication" in Florida, unless all parties to the communication consent.

Is California an open records state?

Public records are open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency and every person has a right to inspect any public record, except as hereafter provided.”

Can I sue someone for recording me without my permission in Texas?

Texas & Federal Laws

This means that unless at least one of the parties to a conversation consents, both Texas and federal wiretapping laws make it a crime to record an audio conversation if the parties have a "reasonable expectation of privacy." This is true both in person and over the phone.

Is Arizona an open records state?

The Arizona Public Records Law has been in existence for more than 100 years and mandates that all public records be open to inspection by any person at all times during office hours. Public records include books, papers, maps, photographs or other documentary materials.

What is exempt from the Texas open records Act?

Exempt: Over 30 exemptions including: Confidential information as defined by law; personnel information; litigation or settlement negotiations involving state, competition or bidding information; certain real estate information; certain legislative documents; certain investigation or prosecution documents; certain ...

What state gets more sunshine than Florida?

Places like New Mexico do experience more sunny days than Florida itself, and it is not just New Mexico that outshines Florida. Data collected from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows that Yuma and Phoenix, Arizona, experience the most sunshine.

Is Louisiana an open records state?

Under the PRL, any adult person can inspect, copy, or reproduce any public record. The requester does not need to be a Louisiana resident. However, many local agencies may respond more quickly if the request comes from a resident of Louisiana.

What is an open record state?

Open Records Acts or Freedom of Information Acts

(FOIA) are laws that give you the right to access public documents, which means anything in possession of a public agency.

How do I request FBI file on myself?

How to request your FBI file. Use the eFOIPA portal for Privacy Act requests, but responses will be mailed to the address provided by the requester. Or, you can send a letter to the FBI for your request, following the instructions in U.S. Department of Justice Certification of Identity Form DOJ-361.

What does FOIA not apply to?

Information/data that is NOT covered by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) includes: Non-agency records and personal records. Public requests for access to physical artifacts or scientific samples (e.g. core samples, sediment, rocks, fossils, specimen samples, blood samples).

Can someone film my house without permission?

In two-part consent states like California, Florida or Michigan, both or all sides need to give their consent to have their conservation recorded. It is never legal to record a conversation where no one is giving consent.

Can you sue someone for spying on your phone?

Yes. Accessing their phone, social media, or email accounts without consent is a crime. However, if you go beyond that and install an app or malware designed to forward texts, emails, social media messages, or phone recordings to their cell, you can face additional charges under the state's wiretapping laws.

Can I record my doctor's visit in Texas?

Thus, if a patient or family member is having a conversation with healthcare provider, it's not a legal problem for the patient or family member to secretly record the conversation.

What is the Sunshine law in California?

The Sunshine Ordinance is an ordinance to insure easier access to public records and to strengthen the open meeting laws. The Sunshine Ordinance also outlines a procedure for citizens to follow if they do not receive public records they have requested.

Is Oregon an open record state?

On its face, Oregon's public records law sounds simple. It applies to all government records and writings. The public body must consider each request for records on a case-by-case basis. The law favors disclosure as the rule, and agencies have the burden of proving an exemption allows them to withhold information.

What is the Brown Act in California?

The Brown Act was enacted in 1953 to guarantee the public's right to attend and participate in meetings of local legislative bodies, and as a response to growing concerns about local government officials' practice of holding secret meetings that were not in compliance with advance public notice requirements.

What states can you not record police?

But now, generally speaking, it is legal to record a police encounter in every state in the United States, unless it would interfere with an investigation (hard to prove) or create some kind of safety hazard, and in some cases possibly when you are on private property.

Can I record someone yelling at me?

California is a “two-party consent” state, meaning it is illegal to record a private conversation without the other person's consent. Even if your boss is yelling at you or treating you hostility in the privacy of their office, you cannot record the conversation and use it as evidence of harassment or discrimination.

Can you sue someone for filming you without permission?

California. California requires the consent of all parties, with a minimum consent being the notification that the parties are being recorded in a confidential conversation with an audible beep at particular intervals throughout the recording. Without permission, an individual can face imprisonment and fines.