Legal Definitions - open-meeting law

An open-meeting law, also known as a sunshine law, is a statute that requires government departments or agencies to make their meetings and records accessible to the public. This means that members of the public have the right to attend and observe meetings of government bodies and access records related to their activities.

For example, if a city council is holding a meeting to discuss a new development project, the open-meeting law requires that the meeting be open to the public. This allows members of the community to attend the meeting and hear the council's discussion and decision-making process.

Another example is if a state agency is keeping records related to a controversial issue, such as environmental regulations. The open-meeting law requires that these records be made available to the public upon request, allowing citizens to access information about the agency's decision-making process and hold them accountable.

The purpose of open-meeting laws is to promote transparency and accountability in government. By allowing the public to observe meetings and access records, citizens can better understand how their government operates and hold officials accountable for their actions.