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Your Right to Know
Find FOI in Your State
Get in touch with the Sunshine chair or chairs in your state and find FOI Centers, quotable sources, resources and more by using the menu below.
Alaska
Contacts
Alaska Press Club
Rosey Robards, President
907-272-2864
Email (general)
Email (Robards)
Website
Office of the Attorney General
P.O. Box 110300
Juneau, AK 99811-0300
Phone (907) 465-2133
Fax (907) 465-2075
http://www.law.state.ak.us/.
[email protected]
Alaska Bar Association
PO Box 100279 or 840 K Street, Suite 100
Anchorage, AK 99510-0279
Phone (907) 272-7469
http://www.alaskabar.org/
The Alaska Legal Resource Center provides free access to public legal resources such as case law, court rules, statutes and regulations. You'll find a free Alaska legal database and related links of interest. Website services are provided by Touch N' Go Systems, Inc. and content is provided by the Law Offices of James B. Gottstein, in Anchorage, Alaska.
Alaska Legal Resource Center
406 G. Street, Suite 210
Anchorage, AK 99501
Voicemail: 907-274-6333
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail
Request Letter Generator
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law A.S. §44.62.310 et seq.
Closed: If they could prejudice the reputation or character of any person, or adversely affect government finances.
Open Records Law A.S. §09.25.110 et seq.
Exempt: Juvenile, adoption, medical and public health; library lending; names of victims of certain types of sexual assault; and some law enforcement records.
Alabama
Contacts
Felicia Mason
Executive Director, Alabama Press Association
Alabama Newspaper Advertising Service, Inc.
3324 Independence Drive, Suite 200
Birmingham, Alabama 35209
(205) 871-7737
E-mail
Website
Dennis R. Bailey
Media Attorney, Rushton-Stakely
334-206-3100 or 334-206-3234
E-mail
E. Cutter Hughes
Media Attorney
200 Clinton Avenue West
Suite 900
Huntsville, AL 35801-4900
256-517-5152
E-mail
Alabama Pro SPJ Chapter
President: Meredith Cummings
Email
Alabama Attorney General
Alabama State House
11 South Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36130
Phone (334) 242-7300
http://www.ago.state.al.us/
Alabama State Bar
415 Dexter Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone (205) 269-1515
E-mail [email protected]
http://www.alabar.org/
Alabama Secretary of State
Alabama Secretary of State
P.O. Box 5616
Montgomery, AL 36103-5616
334-242-7200
Website has links to a variety of government records.
Alabama Archives
624 Washington Ave.
Montgomery, AL 36130-0100
Phone (334) 242-4435
E-mail [email protected]
http://www.archives.state.al.us/
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law Al. Code §36-12-40 et seq.
Closed: Attorney-client meetings; discussions where "character or good name" of a person is involved; and grand jury and juvenile proceedings.
Open Records Law Al. Code §36-25A-1 et seq.
Exempt: Banking, juvenile court, hospital and probation reports; identity of Medicaid recipients; reports of suspected disease cases; tax and financial statements.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Arkansas
Contacts
State Sunshine Chair
Dennis A. Byrd
Arkansas News Bureau
401 S. Victory
Little Rock, AR 72201
Work (501) 374-0699; Home (501) 316-3883
Fax (501)374-0860
E-mail [email protected]
David Bailey
Managing editor, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in Little Rock
501-378-3594
Brenda Blagg
Columnist, Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Longtime FOI advocate who knows the state’s open government issues well.
479-571-6463
E-mail
Tom Larimer
Executive director of the Arkansas Press Association
(w) 501-374-1500
E-mail
Website
John Tull
Media attorney in Little Rock. Expert on state open records and meetings. His Quattlebaum, Grooms, Tull & Burrow firm operates a free FOI hotline.
111 Center Street, Suite 1900
Little Rock, AR 72201
501-379-1705
E-mail
Office of the Attorney General
323 Center St., Suite 200
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
501-682-2007
FOI Hotline: 800-482-8982
Website
Arkansas Bar Association
2224 Cottondale Lane
Little Rock, AR 72202
501-375-4606 or 800-609-5668
Email
Website
Arkansas Press Association
411 South Victory
Little Rock, AR 72201
501-374-1500 or 800-569-8762
FOI Hotline: (501) 372-0800
Website
Email
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law Ark. Code Ann. §25-19-101 et seq. including §25-19-105.
Closed: To consider employment, appointment, promotion, demotion, disciplining, or resignation of any public employee.
Open Records Law Ark. Code Ann. §25-19-101 et seq. including §25-19-106.
Exempt: Income tax records; medical, scholastic and adoption records; historical and archeological files; on-going law enforcement investigations; working papers, competitive advantage, and personnel records; and identities of undercover law enforcement officers.
Arkansas FOI Act from FOIArkansas.com
Arizona
Contacts
Sunshine Chair: David Cuillier
SPJ FOI Committee Chairman
Assistant professor
Department of Journalism, University of Arizona
Marshall Building, Room 328
P.O. Box 210158B
Tucson, AZ 85721-0158
Work: 520/626-9694
Home: 520/229-1466
E-mail
David Bodney
Media law attorney & adjunct faculty at Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. Expert on all aspects of state open meeting and records laws.
Ballard Spahr LLP
602-798-5454
E-mail
Stephen Doig
Database journalism expert & Pulitzer winner
Knight Chair Professor in Journalism
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Arizona State University
(w) 602-496-5798
E-mail
Sally M. Rider
Director, William H. Rehnquist Center on the Constitutional Structures of Government
P.O. Box 210176
Tucson, AZ 85721-0176
Email
First Amendment Coalition of Arizona, Inc.
Contact: Daniel C. Barr
Perkins Coie Brown & Bain P.A.
2901 North Central Avenue, Suite 2000
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone (602) 351-8085
Fax (602) 648-7085
E-mail [email protected]
http://www.arizonafoi.com/
Office of the Attorney General
Mark Brnovich
1275 West Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602-542-5025
http://www.azag.gov/
State Bar of Arizona
4201 N. 24th Street, Suite 200
Phoenix, Arizona 85016-6288
Phone (602) 252-4804 or (866) 48-AZBAR (toll-free outside Maricopa County)
Fax (602) 271-4930
http://www.azbar.org/
Arizona Newspaper Association
1001 N. Central Ave., Suite 670
Phone (602) 261-7655
Fax (602) 261-7525
http://www.ananews.com/
[email protected]
Form Letters
National Freedom of Information Coalition
Arizona Sample FOIA Request
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law A.R.S. §38-431 et seq.
Closed: Salary, discipline, negotiations; planning; and legal consultation.
Open Records Law A.R.S. §39-121 et seq.
Exempt: Adoption records; disciplinary records of some professional groups; some medical records; some corrections department records; bank records; and trade secrets.
Arizona Reporter’s Handbook on Media Law
Written by Dan Barr. To get a copy for $5, contact Sharon Neilson at 602-351-8014 or at [email protected]. To get a free e-book copy, go here.
California
Contacts
State Sunshine Chair: Dan Weikel
Los Angeles Times
5271 East Broadway
Long Beach, CA 90803
Work (714) 966-5977
Home (562) 987-1039
Fax (714) 966-7716
E-mail
Sunshine Chair (South): Jodi Cleesattle
Deputy Attorney General California Department of Justice Office of the Attorney General 110 West A Street, Suite 1100 San Diego, CA 92101 Phone: 619/645-3150
E-mail
Society of Professional Journalists FOI Committee member
E-mail
Guide: Accessing Public Records
James Chadwick
Media law attorney
Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
379 Lytton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
650-815-2605
E-mail
Roger Myers
Partner, Bryan Cave
San Francisco, CA
415-268-1955
E-mail
Duffy Carolan
First Amendment Coalition, board member
Media law attorney
Jassy Vick Carolan
310-870-7048
E-mail
Guylyn Cummins
California First Amendment Coalition, board member
Media law attorney
Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
San Diego, CA
(w) (619) 338-6645
E-mail
First Amendment Coalition
534 4th Street, Suite B.
San Rafael, CA 94901
Contact: Peter Scheer, Executive Director
Phone 415.460.5060
Fax 415.460.5155
Email
Legal Hotline
Californians Aware
2218 Homewood Way
Carmichael, CA 95608
Contact: Terry Francke, General Counsel
Phone 916.487.7000
Fax 916.487.7999
E-mail [email protected]
First Amendment Project
1736 Franklin St., 9th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Contact: David Greene, Executive Director and Staff Counsel
Phone 510.208.7744
Fax 510.208.4562
E-mail [email protected]
Office of the Attorney General
California Department of Justice
Attn: Public Inquiry Unit
P.O. Box 944255
Sacramento, CA 94244-2550
http://ag.ca.gov/
The State Bar of California
(Main Office)
180 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone (415) 538-2000
http://www.calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_home.jsp
Resources
Legal Resources for Using the California Public Records Act
First Amendment Coalition
This link provides resources for using the California Public Records Act, including the text of the Act, CFAC’s CPRA Primer, the California Attorney General’s Guide to the Act, Frequently Asked Questions, sample records request letters, and more.
California Newspaper Publishers Association HelpLine
Website
Tom Newton, general counsel
916-288-6015
Email
Jim Ewert, general counsel
916-288-6013
Email
The HelpLine is available without charge to CNPA members to help answer legal questions on topics such as access to public meetings and records, school access, publisher liability for advertising, libel and workplace issues.
Californians Aware State Agency Audit
CalAware reports the results of its August 2006 audit of California state agency’s compliance with public records requests here: Website
California Public Records Ombudsman
Information about the Department of Justice’s guidelines for public records access is available online at: Website. The Website also provides links to a summary of the Public Records Act and a training guide on the Act. The ombudsman facilitates and tracks public records requests and can be contacted at:
Public Records Ombudsman
P.O. Box 944255-2550
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 445-4069
E-mail
Online request form
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law
Brown Act: Gov't Code §54950-54960.5
Closed: Consultation on pending litigation; discipline of public employees; real estate transactions; and collective bargaining.
Link to Brown Act guide (Adobe Acrobat file)
Open Records Law
Calif. Public Records Act: Gov't Code §6250-6268
Exempt: Law enforcement investigations: litigation; and proprietary business data and personal privacy.
Link to CPRA guide (Adobe Acrobat file)
California Shield Law
The California Shield Law provides legal protections to journalists seeking to maintain the confidentiality of an unnamed source or unpublished information obtained during newsgathering. California Shield Law (Adobe/PDF file)
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Colorado
Contacts
Sunshine Chair: Kris P. Kodrich
Associate Professor
Department of Journalism and Technical Communication
C-234 Clark
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1785
970-491-5986 (office)
970-491-2908 (fax)
E-mail
Colorado Bar Association
1900 Grant Street, Suite 900
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone (303) 860-1115 or (800) 332-6736 (in Colorado)
Fax (303) 894-0821
http://www.cobar.org/index.htm
Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition
1120 Lincoln St., suite 912
Denver, CO 80204
Contact: Jeff Roberts, Executive Director
720-274-7177
Email
Website
Colorado Press Association
1120 Lincoln St., Suite 912
Denver, CO 80203
303-571-5117
E-mail
Office of the Attorney General
Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center
1300 Broadway, 10th Floor
Denver, Colorado 80203
720-508-6000
Email
Website
Resources
Guide to Colorado Sunshine Law
Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition and the Colorado Press Association
This 18-page reference booklet is an essential overview of Colorado’s open meetings and open records laws. Both the governor’s office and the state attorney general’s office have endorsed it.
Download a digital copy
Request a physical copy via email
Reporters' Guide to Colorado Courts: An Informal Guide to Courtroom Procedures and Legal Terms Used in the Judicial System of Colorado
produced by the Public Education Committee of the Colorado Supreme Court with assistance from the Colorado Bar-Press Committee. Denver, CO: Colorado Judicial Department, 1996. 62 pages.
The booklet's purpose is to provide information about the law and the legal system. The text is designed to guide reporters through the judicial system and offer them a better selection of sources for their work. A glossary is included.
Format: Pamphlet. 8 in.
Order from: Colorado Judicial Department
1301 Pennsylvania Ave., Suite 300
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (303) 861-1111
A Reporter's Guide to Colorado's Public-Records and Open-Meetings Laws
by James J. Brodell, Metropolitan State College of Denver, Department of Journalism, 1995, 36 p., including appendices.
Format: Pamphlet, 8-1/2 by 11 in.
Order from: Metropolitan State College of Denver
Department of Journalism
P.O. Box 173362
Campus Box 76
Denver, CO 80217
Phone: (303) 556-4672
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Connecticut
Contacts
Sunshine Chair: Steven D. Kalb
University of Connecticut
860-486-3102
E-mail
Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission
18-20 Trinity Street
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone (860) 566-5682
Fax (860) 566-6474
http://vvv.state.ct.us/foi/
E-mail Email
New England Newspaper & Press Association
1 Arrow Drive, Suite 6
Woburn, MA 01801
781-281-2053
Fax: 339-999-2174
Email
Contact: Phillip Camp
Board of Directors and President of the Vermont Standard
Phone: 802-457-1313
Fax 802-457-3639
Email
Office of the Attorney General
55 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone (860) 808-5318
Email
Website
Connecticut Bar Association
PO Box 350
30 Bank Street
New Britain, CT 06050
Phone (860) 223-4400
Fax (860) 223-4488
http://www.ctbar.org/
Email
Media and the Law Section, Connecticut Bar Association
Atty. James Bergenn, Co-chair
Phone: 860-251-5639
Email
Atty. Stephen Nevas, Co-chair
Phone: 203-557-8600
Email
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law Conn. Gen. Stat. §1-18a et seq.
Closed: Certain personnel matters; collective bargaining and negotiating sessions; administrative staff meetings; certain real estate transactions; security strategy; and pending litigation negotiations.
Open Records Law Conn. Gen. Stat. §1-18a et seq.
Exempt: Fifteen total exemptions including: Personnel, medical and some law enforcement files; juvenile; some witness and victim identification records; pending litigation files; and real estate documents.
Media and the Law Handbook
Hartford, CT: Hartford County Bar Association and the Connecticut Bar Association, 2000, 110 p.
Price: Free to the media.
Format: One-volume handbook. 8 in.
Order from:
Connecticut Bar Association
PO Box 350
30 Bank St.
New Britain, CT 06050-0350
Phone (860) 223-4400
District of Columbia
Contacts
Sunshine Chair: Robert S. Becker
Law offices of Robert S. Becker
3315 Morrison St NW
Washington, DC 20015
Work: 202/364-8013
E-mail
FOI Center:
Maryland Foundation for Open Government
443-605-9649
Contact: Jim Lee
Email
Website
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Delaware
Contacts
Delaware Coalition for Open Government
(A member of NFOIC)
P.O Box 30108
Wilmington, DE 19805
Contact: Coralie Pryde
302-476-9690
Website
Email
Office of the Attorney General
Edward Black, Deputy Attorney General, FOIA Coordinator
Carvel State Office Building
820 North French Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Administrative Director: Phone (302) 557-8300
Civil Division: Phone (302) 577-8400
Criminal Division: Phone (302) 577-8500
http://www.state.de.us/attgen/
E-mail [email protected]
Delaware State Bar Association
405 N. King Street, Suite 100
Wilmington, DE 19801
302-658-5279
http://www.dsba.org
Delaware Press Association
1012 Kent Road
Wilmington, DE 19807
Phone (302) 655-2175
[email protected]
Website
Katherine Ward, Executive Director
302-655-2175
E-mail
Asgede Hagos
Delaware State University
Mass Communications Department
(302) 857-6620
E-mail
David L. Finger
Finger & Slanina, LLC
One Commerce Center
1201 N. Orange St., 7th floor
Wilmington, DE 19801-1186
Phone: 302-573-2525
Fax: 302-573-2524
E-mail
Website
John Sweeney
Sunshine Week Coordinator
Editorial Page Editor
The News Journal
Wilmington, DE
(302) 324-2990
E-mail
Mark Fowser
President, Delaware Press Association
1666 Blairs Pond Rd.
Milford, DE 19963
302-422-0202
Email
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law 29 Del. C. §10001 et seq.
Closed: Criminal investigations; employee evaluations; attorney-client discussions; collective bargaining; real estate transactions; student disciplinary hearings; and attorney-client meetings.
Open Records Law 29 Del. C. §10001 et seq.
Exempt: Personnel, medical, and student files; trade, investigative and intelligence documents; charitable donations; collective bargaining; and pending lawsuits.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Florida
Contacts
Sunshine Chair: Sandra F. Chance
Brechner Center for Freedom of Information
University of Florida College of Journalism
Gainesville, FL 32611
Work: 352/392-2273
Home: 352/374-4656
Fax: 352/392-9173
E-mail
Marion B, Brechner First Amendment Project
2060 Weimer Hall
P.O. Box 118400
Gainesville, FL 32611
Contact: Professor Clay Calvert
352-273-1096
Email
Florida First Amendment Foundation, Inc.
Formed: 1984
336 E. College Avenue, Suite 101
Tallahassee, FL 32301-1554
Contact: Barbara Petersen
850-224-4555
Email
Office of Attorney General
State of Florida
The Capitol PL-01
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050
866-966-7226
Website
Joe Adams
Editorial writer at The Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville
Author of “The Florida Public Records Handbook” published by the First Amendment Foundation and author of the e-book “Secrets of the Scoop: Using public records to uncover news and change the world”
Does workshops throughout Florida on access and use of records. Tracks state open records and open meetings issues through his website.
904-359-4534
Email
Pat Gleason, Special Counsel for Open Government
An attorney with the governor’s Office of Open Government in Tallahassee
Long-time assistant attorney general who for years wrote the state’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual and ran the state’s public records mediation program.
850-245-0140
E-mail: E-mail
Samuel J. Morley
General Counsel for Florida Press Association
336 E. College Avenue, Suite 203
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(321)283-5353
(850)577-3629 (fax)
Email
Florida Press Association
Tallahassee Office
336 E. College Ave., Suite 201
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(321) 283-5255
Website
Contact: Dean Ridings, president & CEO
(321) 283-5277
Email
610 Crescent Executive Ct., Ste. 112
Lake Mary, FL 32746-2111
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law Fla. Stat. sec. 286.011 et seq.
All meetings of boards and commissions open. Most collegial public bodies also open.
Open Records Law Fla. Stat. sec. 119.01 et. seq.
Exempt: More than 600 exemptions, check listed code citation.
Resources
Government in the Sunshine: A Citizen's Guide
This digital booklet covers both state and national laws that give the public access to government information and meetings. It contains a list of recourses for citizens seeking information and a sample letter to request public records.
The Florida Public Records Handbook, by Joe Adams, edited by Barbara A. Petersen and Mark Middlebrook
Published by The First Amendment Foundation. Profiles 150 of Florida’s most useful public records, overview of the state’s public records laws and sample FOI letter.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Georgia
Contacts
Georgia First Amendment Foundation
Formed: 1994
Hollie Manheimer - Director
404-525-3646
E-mail
Website
David E. Hudson
SunTrust Bank Building, 801 Broad Street
Seventh Floor
Augusta, GA 30901
E-mail
Website
Freedom of Information Service Hotline
Georgia First Amendment Foundation
Phone: (800) F-FOI-AID (800-336-4243)
(available to all callers inside and outside Georgia)
Georgia Press Association
3066 Mercer University Drive, Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30341
Phone: (770) 454-6776
Fax: (770) 454-6778
Email
Website
Georgia Association of Broadcasters
6 West Druid Hills Drive NE, Suite 330
Atlanta, Georgia 30329
Phone: 770-395-7200
Toll free: (877) 395-7200 (Georgia only)
Email
Office of the Attorney General
40 Capitol Square, S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30334-1300
Phone: (404) 656-3300
Fax: (404) 657-8733
State Bar of Georgia
104 Marietta St. NW, Suite 100
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Phone (404) 527-8700; (800) 334-6865
Fax (404) 527-8717
http://www.gabar.org/
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Georgia Sunshine Laws eBook
Open Records Law O.C.G.A. §50-18-70
Exempt: Investigations; certain real estate documents; attorney-client privilege documents; and names of handgun carriers. Electronic records open.
Open Meetings Law O.C.G.A. §50-14-1
Closed: Certain personnel matters, attorney consultations and real estate transactions.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Hawaii
Contacts
Sunshine Chair: Stirling Morita
Open Government Coalition of Hawaii
Honolulu Star-Bulletin
3054 Ala Poha Place #806
Honolulu, HI 96818-1615
Work: 808-529-4755
Home: 808-839-5021
Fax: 808-529-4750
E-mail
Office of the Attorney General
425 Queen Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 586-1500
Fax: (808) 586-1239
E-mail
Website
State Bar Association
1100 Alakea St., Suite 1000
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 537-1868
Fax: (808) 521-7936
Media Council Hawaii
Email: E-mail
Website
Office of Information Practices, State of Hawaii
No. 1 Capitol District Building
250 S. Hotel Street, Suite 107
Honolulu, HI 96813-2831
Leslie Kondo, Director
Phone (808) 586-1400
Fax (808) 586-1412
Email
Website
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law Haw. Rev. Stat. §92-1 et seq.
Closed: To consider personnel information relating to those applying for professional or vocations licenses; hiring or firing of an employee; labor negotiations; property negotiations; attorney consultation; misconduct investigations; and public safety or security. State boards and commissions may meet in private if no commitment to vote is made or sought; also can meet with the governor as long as it does not relate to a quasi-judicial matter.
Open Records Law Haw. Rev. Stat. §91-1 et seq.
Exempt: Medical, psychiatric, or psychological information; criminal investigations; social services or welfare benefits information; personnel files; fitness to be granted a license; and personal recommendations and evaluations.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Iowa
Contacts
Sunshine Chair: Rox Laird
Des Moines Register
715 Locust Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: 515-284-8097
E-mail
Iowa Freedom of Information Council
2805 University Ave.
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa 50311
Website
Kathleen Richardson
Director and Associate Professor
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa 50311
Phone: 515-271-2295
E-mail
Iowa Newspaper Association
319 E. 5th Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
515-244-2145
Website
Angela McBride
Assistant Ombudsman
Office of Ombudsman
Ola Babcock Miller Building
1112 East Grand
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
515-281-3592
Email
Iowa State Bar
625 East Court Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 243-3179
(800) 457-3729
Website
Email
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law Iowa Code §21.1 et seq.
Closed: 11 exemptions, check code citation.
Open Records Law Iowa Code §22.1 et seq.
State access law has 50 exemptions including personal information of public school students, hospital and medical records, trade secrets, peace officers' investigative reports, and attorney work related to litigation.
Resources
Iowa Supreme Court
Iowa Judicial Branch Building
1111 East Court Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-281-5911
Office of the Attorney General
Website includes Sunshine Advisories, public records and meetings guidance, legal outlines of the laws, and Q and A.
Open Meetings, Open Records Handbook
Pocket-size booklet
Contains the text of Chapters 21 and 22 of the Iowa Code, the public meetings and records statutes, and questions and answers about the laws
Cost: $2
Contact: School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa 50311
(515) 271-2295
Expanded Media Coverage Handbook
Pocket-size booklet
Contains text of Iowa FOI Council and judicial branch rules governing the use of cameras and other recording devices in Iowa courtrooms
Cost: $2
Contact: School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa 50311
(515) 271-2295
Keeping Iowa Open: A Guide to the State's Access Laws & and the Courts
A primer on the state's "sunshine" laws and court system for journalists new to Iowa.
Cost: Free
Contact: School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa 50311
(515) 271-2295
A Journalist's Guide to Openness in Iowa
A flier that summarizes the Iowa Code regarding open meetings, open records and access to law enforcement. Published in conjunction with the Iowa Newspaper Foundation.
Cost: Free
Contact: School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa 50311
(515) 271-2295
Openness Defense Fund
A flier that explains a Council program — open to members of the Iowa Newspaper Association and Iowa Broadcasters Association — that provides financial support for educational programs and for litigation over serious violations of the state's open meetings and public records laws.
Cost: Free
Contact: School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa 50311
(515) 271-2295
Government Associations
These websites contain information about Iowa law. These associations can also help resolve access issues by advising public agencies about what the laws require or by explaining how public agencies interpret the law.
Iowa League of Cities
500 SW 7th Street, Suite 101
Des Moines, IA 50309-4111
(515) 244-7282
Fax: (978) 367-9733
Email
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Idaho
Contacts
Sunshine Chair: Betsy Z. Russell
Idahoans for Openness in Government
P.O. Box 9391
Boise, ID 83702
Work: 208 336-2854
E-mail
Website
Idaho Press Club
Martha Borchers, Executive Director
(208) 389-2879
P.O. Box 2221
Boise, ID, 83701
Email
Website
Office of the Attorney General
700 W. Jefferson Street
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720
Phone (208) 334-2400
Fax (208) 334-2530
Website
State Bar Association
The Law Center
PO Box 895
Boise, ID 83701
Street Address:
525 W. Jefferson Street
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 334-4500
Contact: Diane Minnich, Executive Director
Email
Tom Grote
The Star-News
1000 First Street
McCall, ID 83638
Work (208) 634-2123
Fax (208) 634-4950
[email protected]
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law Idaho Code §67-2341 et seq.
Closed: Personnel matters; labor negotiations; matters of competitive trade or commerce with other states or nations; and pending or probable litigation.
Open Records Law Idaho Code §9-337 et seq.
Exempt: 40 exemptions, check code citation.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Illinois
Contacts
Sunshine Chair: Josh Sharp
Director of Government Relations
Illinois Press Association Foundation
217/241-1300 x.238
217/241-1301
FOIA Contacts [Illinois.gov]
Website
Illinois Press Association
Contact: Beth Bennett
Phone: (217) 241-1301
900 Community Drive
Springfield, IL 62703
Website
E-mail
Illinois First Amendment Center
Citizen Advocacy Center
Executive director/community lawyer: Maryam Judar
182 North York St.
Elmhurst, IL 60126
Phone: 630-833-4080
E-mail
Website
Attorney General of Illinois
Website
Hotline: 1-877-299-FOIA (3642)
Chicago Main Office
100 West Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60601
312-814-3000
TTY: 800-964-3013
Springfield Office
500 South Second Street
Springfield, Illinois 62706
217-782-1090
TTY: (217) 785-2771
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Illinois Open Meetings Act
"It is the public policy of this State that public bodies exist to aid in the conduct of the people's business and that the people have a right to be informed as to the conduct of their business." (5 ILCS 120/1)
Illinois Freedom of Information Act
"...it is declared to be the public policy of the State of Illinois that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government [...] Such access is necessary to enable the people to fulfill their duties of discussing public issues fully and freely, making informed political judgments and monitoring government to ensure that it is being conducted in the public interest." (5 ILCS 140/1)
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Resources
Media Law Handbook, prepared by the Fair Trial-Free Press Committee of the Illinois State Bar Association. Springfield, IL: Illinois State Bar Association, 1993
Currently being revised.
Format: One-volume, loose leaf reference manual. 8 in.
Order from: Illinois State Bar
424 S. Second St.
Springfield, IL 62701
Phone: (217) 525-1760
Indiana
Contacts
Sunshine Chair: Gerry Lanosga
President, Indiana Coalition for Open government
Assistant Professor, Indiana University School of Journalism
812-855-0851
E-mail
Indiana Coalition for Open Government
Keith Robinson, President
Purdue University
625 W. State St.
West Lafayette, IN 47909
Phone 317.752.8424
http://www.indianacog.org/
E-mail [email protected]
Tony Fargo
Vice President, Indiana Coalition for Open government
812-855-5420 or 812-219-0806
Email
Steve Key
Executive Director and General Counsel, Hoosier State Press Association
317-624-4427
Email
Office of the Attorney General
Indiana Government Center South
302 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone (317) 232-6201
Fax (317) 232-7979
http://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/
State Bar Association
One Indiana Square
Suite 530
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone (317) 639-5465
Fax (317) 266-2588
http://www.inbar.org/
E-mail [email protected]
Office of the Public Access Counselor for the State of Indiana
Luke Britt, Public Access Counselor
W460, Indiana Government Center South
402 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 234-0906 or (800) 228-6013
http://www.in.gov/pac/
Email
Hoosier State Press Association
41 E. Washington St., Suite 301
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Phone (317) 803-4772
http://www.hspa.com/
E-mail [email protected]
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law I.C. §§5-14-1.5-1 et seq.
Closed: Numerous exemptions including: Collective bargaining, litigation strategy, and certain real estate transactions.
Open Records Law §§5-14-3-1 et seq.
Exempt: Trade secrets; university research; and certain educational and medical records. Discretionary exemptions include: Personnel files; diaries; journals; and personal notes.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Kansas
Contacts
Kansas Sunshine Coalition for Open Government
1845 North Fairmont
Wichita, KS 67260-0031
Website
Office of the Attorney General
120 SW 10th Ave., 2nd Floor
Topeka, KS 66612-1597
Phone (785) 296-2215
Fax (785) 296-6296
Website
Kansas Press Association
5423 SW 7th St.
Topeka, KS 66606
(785) 271-5304
Fax (785) 271-7341
http://www.kspress.com/
Email
President: Susan Lynn
620-365-2111
Email
Media Law Consultant: Mike Kautsch
Email
Doug Anstaett
Executive Director, Kansas Press Association and Kansas Newspaper Foundation
5423 S.W. 7th St.
Topeka, KS 66606
785-271-5304
Email
Kansas Bar Association
1200 SW Harrison
Topeka, Kansas 66612-1806
Phone (913) 234-5696
Fax (913) 234-3813
Email
http://www.ksbar.org/
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law Open Meetings Law K.S.A. 75-4317 et seq.
Closed: Attorney consultations; personnel matters; employer-employee negotiations; trade secrets; and acquisitions of real estate property.
Open Records Law K.S.A. 45-215 et seq.
Exempt: 42 exemptions, check code citation.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Resources
Kansas Media Law Guide by Dorothy A. Bowles. Topeka, KS: Kansas Press Service, 1984. 187 p.
Format: Reference manual.
Order from:
Kansas Press Association
5423 SW 7th St.
Topeka, KS 66606
Phone (785) 271-5304
A Reporter's Guide to Legal Terms and Procedures prepared by the Kansas Bar Association. Topeka, KS: Kansas Bar Association, 1989. 53 p.
Contents include a glossary of legal terms, overview of the Kansas court system, and information on cameras in the courtroom, judicial discipline, lawyer discipline, the Kansas Bar's structure and organization, mandatory continuing legal education and media-related activities. Price: Free
Format: Pamphlet. 11 1/2 in.
Order from:
Kansas Bar Association
P.O. Box 1037
Topeka, KS 66601
Kentucky
Contacts
Kentucky Citizens for Open Government
113 Grehan Building
College of Communications and Information Studies
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0042
Contact: Dr. Mike Farrell, Acting Director
Phone (859) 257-4848
Fax (859) 323-3168
E-mail [email protected]
Terry Anderson
Lecturer and former Middle East correspondent for The Associated Press.
School of Journalism and Telecommunications
University of Kentucky
(w) 859-258-6216
E-mail
Al Cross
Director, Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues
Assistant professor, School of Journalism and Telecommunications
University of Kentucky
Former national SPJ president and reporter for the Louisville Courier-Journal.
(w) 859-257-3744
E-mail
Jon Fleischaker
Media lawyer based in Louisville
Leading expert on Kentucky open government laws. His firm, Dinsmore & Shohl, coordinates the FOI hotline for the Kentucky Press Association.
(w) 502-540-2319
E-mail
David Thompson
Executive director of the Kentucky Press Association and active with the Kentucky Citizens for Open Government
502-223-8821 ext. 12
E-mail
Office of the Attorney General
The Capitol, Suite 118
700 Capitol Avenue
Frankfort, KY 40601-3449
Phone (502) 696-5300
Fax (502) 564-2894
http://ag.ky.gov/
Kentucky Bar Association
514 West Main Street
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-1883
Phone (502) 564-3795
http://www.kybar.org/
E-mail [email protected]
Kentucky Press Association
101 Consumer Lane
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 223-8821
Website
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law K.R.S. 61.810 et seq.
Closed: Parole board; collective bargaining; certain real estate transactions; certain employee matters; certain business negotiations; and pending litigation involving a public agency.
Open Records Law K.R.S. 61.872 et seq.
Exempt: Personal information prohibited from disclosure for privacy reasons; some law enforcement records; some real estate documents, etc.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Resources
Kentucky Open Government blog
Edited by University of Kentucky lecturer Terry Anderson. Good source for state FOI news of all kinds, including bills pending in the state General Assembly.
Open Government Guide for Kentucky (good explanation of the law)
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
This Web site provides details about Kentucky’s open records and meetings laws, compiled by attorneys Jon L. Fleischaker, R. Kenyon Meyer, Ashley L. Pack and Jeremy S. Rogers.
Scripps Howard First Amendment Center
The center’s mission at the University of Kentucky is “is to promote understanding of the First Amendment among citizens of Kentucky, to advocate for First Amendment rights in the Commonwealth and nationally, and to produce internationally recognized scholarship concerning the First Amendment and its related freedoms.”
Sponsors First Amendment oriented events and programs.
Kentucky Press Association FOI Resources
Website
Louisiana
Contacts
Scott Sternberg, JD
Sternberg, Naccari & White
504-324-2141
E-mail
Loiusiana Sunshine
Pelican Institute
Nonpartisan research and educational organization and the leading voice for free markets in Louisiana. The Institute’s mission is to conduct scholarly research and analysis that advances sound policies based on free enterprise, individual liberty, and constitutionally limited government.
Website
Email
Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana
4664 Jamestown Avenue, Suite 300
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 14776
Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4776
225-926-8414
Email
Website
Office of the Attorney General
Department of Justice
Post Office Box 94095
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-4095
Phone (225) 326-6705
Fax (225) 326-6499
Website
Constituent Services
1885 N. Third Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
or P.O Box 94005
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
225-326-6079
Louisiana State Bar Association
601 St. Charles Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70130
504-566-1600 or 800-421-5722
Website
Contact: Loretta Larsen, executive director
Email
Louisiana Press Association
404 Europe St.
Baton Rouge LA. 70802
Phone (225) 344-9309; (800) 701-8753
Website
Contact: Pamela Mitchell, CAE
225-344-9309 ext. 108
Email
Louisiana Association of Broadcasters
660 Florida Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
Contact: Louise Munson, Executive Director
225-267-4522
Website
Contact: Polly Prince Johnson, president/CEO
Email
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law La.R.S. 42:4.1 et seq.
Closed: Discussion of the character, professional competence or health of a person; collective bargaining negotiations; discussions of security plans or devices; misconduct investigations; and natural disaster discussions.
Open Records Law La.R.S. 44:1 et seq.
Exempt: Pending criminal litigation; juvenile status offenders; sexual offense victims; security procedures; trade secrets; and some public employee information.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Massachusetts
Contacts
Stephanie Vosk
State Sunshine Chair
Cape Cod Times
319 Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
Office: (508) 888-5454
Cell: (508) 916-0411
E-mail
New England First Amendment Coalition
508-983-6006
Email
Website
New England Newspaper & Press Association
1 Arrow Drive, Suite 6
Woburn, MA 01801
781-281-2053
Fax: 339-999-2174
Email
Contact: Phillip Camp
Board of Directors and President of the Vermont Standard
Phone: 802-457-1313
Fax 802-457-3639
Email
Robert A. Bertsche, Esq.
(Outside counsel to New England Newspaper and Press Association)
Prince Lobel Glovsky & Tye LLP
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 2200
Boston, MA 02114
Office: 617-456-8018
Cell: 617-759-1804
E-mail
Massachusetts Journalists' Court and Legal Handbook
(Courtesy of the Massachusetts Bar Association)
Massachusetts Bar Association
20 West Street
Boston, MA 02111-1204
Phone (617) 338-0500
Website
Massachusetts Newspaper Publishers Association
Robert J. Ambrogi, Esq., Executive Director
978-309-9188
16 McKays Drive
Rockport, MA 01966
Website
E-mail
Public Records Division
McCormack Building, Room 1719
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
617-727-2832
Email
Website
Office of the Attorney General
Division of Open Government (open meetings)
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
617-727-7030
Toll Free: 1-800-392-6090 (within Massachusetts only)
TTY: 617-878-3889
E-mail
Website
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law Open Meetings Laws G.L. c. 39, 23-24. State: G.L. c. 30, 11. County: G.L. c. 34, 9F. Municipality: G.L. c. 39, 23B.
Closed: Certain personnel matters; discussion of individual characteristics; collective bargaining; real estate negotiations; and disciplinary records.
Open Records Law G.L. c. 66, sec. 10.
Exempt: Information that would invade individual privacy; trade secrets; public policy development memos; and investigative materials.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Maryland
Contacts
Sunshine Chair: Jim Lee
P.O. Box 346
201 Railroad Avenue
Westminster, Md. 21157
Phone (410) 857-7878
Fax (410) 857-8749
Email
Maryland Foundation for Open Government
201 Railroad Avenue
Westminster, MD 21157
Contact: Jim Lee, Editor, Carroll County Times
Phone (410) 857-7878
Fax (410) 857-8749
http://www.mdfog.org
E-mail Email
Office of the Attorney General
200 Saint Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21202-2202
Phone (888) 743-0023
http://www.oag.state.md.us/
E-mail [email protected]
Open Meetings Compliance Board
Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association
60 West Street, Suite 107
Annapolis. MD 21401-2479
855-721-6332
Email
Website
Contact: Rebecca Snyder, executive director
443-768-3281
Email
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law Md. State Gov't Code Ann. §§10-501 et seq.
Closed: Discussion of the individual characteristics of a person; certain personnel matters; collective bargaining; and real estate transactions. Maryland Public Information Act
Open Records Law Md. State Gov't Code Ann. §§10-611 et seq.
Exempt: Information that invades individual privacy; trade secrets; public policy development memos; and investigative materials.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Maine
Contacts
Maine Freedom of Information Coalition
P.O. Box 232
Augusta, ME 04332
Contact: Mal Leary, President
Phone (207) 621-0702
Email
Website
Email
State Ombudsman: Brenda Kielty
207-626-8577
Email
New England Newspaper & Press Association
1 Arrow Drive, Suite 6
Woburn, MA 01801
781-281-2053
Fax: 339-999-2174
Email
Contact: Phillip Camp
Board of Directors and President of the Vermont Standard
Phone: 802-457-1313
Fax 802-457-3639
Email
Office of the Attorney General
6 State House Station
State Office Building
Augusta Complex
Augusta, ME 04333-0006
Phone (207) 626-8800
http://www.maine.gov/ag/
State Bar Association
P.O. Box 788
124 State St.
Augusta, ME 04332-0788
Phone (207) 622-7523
Fax (207) 623-0083
E-mail [email protected]
The Maine Press Association
Diane Norton, Executive Director
P.O. Box 336
Camden, ME 04843
207-691-0131
Email
Website
Naomi Schalit
Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting
207 620-4519
P.O. Box 284
Hallowell, ME 04347
Email
Website
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings LawM.R.S.A. Sec. 403 et seq.
Closed: Certain personnel matters; attorney consultations; and student disciplinary considerations.
Open Records Law M.R.S.A. Sec. 402 et seq.
Exempt: Certain law enforcement investigation documents; records of legislature; and university administrative committees.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Michigan
Contacts
Sunshine Chair: Dr. Catherine A. Gniewek
President
MichiganToday.net
P. O. Box 700112
Plymouth, MI 48170
734/223-9645
Email
Michigan Coalition for Open Government
P.O. 617
Dimondale, MI 48821-0617
Email
Website
Contact: Tom Stanton
Email
Michigan FOI Committee
193 Monogian Hall
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI 48202
Office of the Attorney General
Post Office Box 30212
525 West Ottawa Street
Lansing, MI 48909
Phone (517) 373-1110 or (877) 765-8388
Fax (517) 373-3042
Email
Website
State Bar of Michigan
The Michael Franck Building
306 Townsend St
Lansing, MI 48933-2012
517-346-6300
Toll-free: 800-968-1442
Website
Michigan Press Association
827 North Washington Avenue
Lansing, Michigan 48906
Phone (517) 372-2424
Fax (517) 372-2429
Email
Website
Contact: Michael MacLaren, executive director
Email
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. §15.261 et seq.
Closed: Collective bargaining; real estate transactions; and pending litigation discussions. Discussion of certain personnel matters and student records may be closed if relevant board votes to close. Michigan's Open Meetings Act (Adobe Acrobat File)
Open Records Law Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. §15.231 et seq.
Exempt: Information deemed private; trade secrets; advisory communications with government agencies; attorney-client communications; medical counseling and psychological facts or appraisals; records of campaign committees; and some law enforcement records.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Minnesota
Contacts
No information available at this time.
Missouri
Contacts
Jean Maneke
Media law attorney
420 Nichols Rd., Suite 200
Kansas City, MO 64112
Phone: 816-753-9000
Fax: 816-753-9009
E-mail
Missouri Sunshine Coalition
802 Locust Street
Columbia, MO 65201
Website
Contact: Jonathan Groves
417-873-7347
Email
Office of the Attorney General
Supreme Court Building
207 W. High St.
P.O. Box 899
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone (573) 751-3321
Fax (573) 751-0774
Email
Website
Missouri Press Association
Doug Crews, Executive Director
802 Locust St.
Columbia MO 65201-7799
Phone (573) 449-4167
Fax (573) 874-5894
http://www.mopress.com/
E-mail [email protected]
State Bar Association
P.O. Box 119
326 Monroe Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Phone (573) 635-4128
Fax (573) 635-2811
http://www.mobar.org/
E-mail [email protected]
National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting (NICAR)
Mark Horvit, executive director
120 Neff Annex
University of Missouri
Coumbia, MO 65205
Phone (573) 882-1984
Email
Website
Investigative Reporters & Editors
141 Neff Annex
Missouri School of Journalism
Columbia, MO 65211
573-882-2042
Email
http://www.ire.org/
Jeremy Kohler
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Phone (314) 340-8337
Email
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
News Reporter's Handbook on Law and Courts
This Revised Online Edition of the News Reporters Handbook on Law and the Courts is published by The Missouri Press-Bar Commission. It updates the previously revised edition published in 1981.
Most of the work of revising the information in this edition was completed by Dan Curry, a former journalist who is now a lawyer.
Open Meetings Law Mo. Code §610.010 et seq.
Closed: Legal actions; leasing, purchase or sale of real estate; personnel matters; the state militia; health examinations; testing materials; negotiations with employees; and sealed bids.
Open Records Law Mo. Code §610.023 et seq.
Exempt: Same as meetings law.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Mississippi
Contacts
Sunshine Chair: Alice Jackson
P.O. Box 975
Ocean Springs, MS 39566-0975
3503 Hastings Lane
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
228-875-2777
E-mail
Mississippi Center for Freedom of Information, Inc.
Meek School of Journalism and New Media
University of Mississippi
University, MS 38677
Contact: Jeanni Atkins, Executive Director
662-915-5393
http://www.mcfoi.org/
E-mail [email protected]
Office of the Attorney General
P.O. Box 220
Jackson, MS 39205
Walter Sillers Building
550 High Street, Suite 1200
Jackson, MS 39201
Telephone: 601-359-3680
Website
Email form
Mississippi State Bar
P.O. Box 2168
643 North State St.
Jackson, MS 39225
Phone (601) 948-4471 | Fax (601) 355-8635
http://www.msbar.org/
E-mail [email protected]
Mississippi Press Association
371 Edgewood Terrace
Jackson, MS 39206-6217
Phone (601) 981-3060
Fax (601) 981-3676
Email
Website
Contact: Leonard Van Slyke
601-973-8742
Email
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law Miss. Code Ann. 25-4-1 et seq.
Closed: Personnel matters; impending litigation; security personnel, plans, and devices; misconduct investigations; extraordinary emergencies posing immediate or irrevocable harm to persons or property; the purchase, sale or leasing of lands; admissions tests; and the location, relocation or expansion of a business or industry.
Open Records Law Miss. Code Ann 25-61-1 et seq.
Exempt: Personnel matters; employment applications; individual tax records; academic examination questions; appraisal information concerning the sale or purchase of property for public purposes; and attorney work product concerning litigation.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Montana
Contacts
Sunshine Chair: Ian Marquand
406-529-6494
Email
Montana Freedom of Information Hotline, Inc.
Melody Martinsen, Chairwoman
Email
P.O. Box 320
Choteau, MT 59422
406-466-2403
Office of the Attorney General
Justice Building
215 North Sanders, Third Floor
Helena, MT 59620-1401
Phone (406) 444-2026
Fax (406) 444-3549
Website
E-mail
State Bar of Montana
7 W. 6th Ave., Ste. 2B
P.O. Box 577
Helena, MT 59624
Phone (406) 442-7660
Fax (406) 442-7763
http://www.montanabar.org/
E-mail
Contact: Chris Manos, executive director
Montana Newspaper Association
825 Great Northern Blvd.
Helena, Montana 59601
Phone (406) 443-2850; (800) 325-8276 (in Montana)
Website
Contact: Jim Rickman
Executive Director
406-443-2850
Email
Mike Meloy
Attorney, Montana Freedom of Information Hotline, Inc.
Meloy Law Firm (Helena, MT)
P.O. Box 1241
Helena, MT 59624
406-442-8670
E-mail
Website
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law Montana Code 2-3-201 et seq.
Closed: Matters involving individual privacy and litigation between government entities and private parties. Citizens may file suit to overturn decisions made in allegedly illegal meetings. However, in 2006, the Montana Supreme Court ruled that citizens who challenge a decision must prove that it caused them "actual harm" over and above that of an ordinary taxpaper or citizen.
Open Records Law Montana Code 2-6-101 et seq.
The law gives citizens the right to inspect any "public writings" of the state except as prohibited by statute. Recent legislation removed several exemptions to the law, thus opening records, including death certificates.
Exempt: Records may be closed if the right to individual privacy clearly exceeds the public's right to know. However, the Montana Supreme Court has upheld challenges to statutes or executive branch decisions that closed records, ruling that the constitutional public right to know outweighed the individual privacy interest.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
North Carolina
Contacts
North Carolina Open Government Coalition
Elon University, School of Communications
2850 Campus Box
Elon, NC 27244
Website
Contact: Sue Rowland
Email Email
Office of the Attorney General
9001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-9001
Phone (919) 716-6400
http://www.ncdoj.com/
North Carolina Bar Association
PO Box 3688
Cary, NC 27513
800-662-7407
http://www.ncbar.org/
North Carolina Press Association
5171 Glenwood Ave.,
Suite 364, Raleigh,NC 27612
919-787-7443
Website
Contact: Beth Grace, Executive Director
919-787-7443 x2090
Email
Jon Buchan
Media Lawyer, McGuireWoods LLP
100 N. Tryon St., Ste. 2900
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-343-2063
Email
Jonathan Jones,
Instructor and Director of the North Carolina Open Government Coalition
336-278-5345
Email
Chip Wilson
Charlotte Observer
[email protected]
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law G.S. §143-318.9
Closed: 7 exemptions including: Attorney consultation; employee matters; and certain real estate transactions.
Open Records Law G.S. §132-1
Exempt: Confidential legal communications; criminal investigations; and intelligence information.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
North Dakota
Contacts
Sunshine Chair: Jack McDonald
Wheeler Wolf Law Firm, LLP
P.O. Box 1776
220 N. 4th St.
Bismarck, ND 58502-1776
Phone: 701-751-1776
Fax: 701-751-1777
E-mail
Office of the Attorney General
State Capitol
600 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505
Phone (701) 328-2210
TTY (800) 366-6888
Email
Website
North Dakota Newspaper Association
1435 Interstate Loop
Bismarck, ND 58503
Phone (701) 223-6397
Fax (701) 223-8185
http://www.ndna.com/
[email protected]
Contact: Steve Andrist, director
Email
State Bar Association of North Dakota
1661 Capitol Way, Suite 104LL
Bismarck, ND 58501
PO Box 2136
Bismarck, ND 58502-2136
Phone (701) 255-1404 or (800) 472-2685 (in-state)
http://www.sband.org/
[email protected]
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law N.D.C.C. §44-04-19 et seq.
Closed: Attorney consultations during pending litigation; non-renewal hearings between school board and teacher; juvenile proceedings; and hiring/firing of college or university personnel and presidents by the State Board of Higher Education.
Open Records LawN.D.C.C. §44-04-18 et seq.
Exempt: Juvenile records; trade secrets; public employee medical and assistance records; workers compensation; unemployment; tax information; law enforcement investigation records; and most Department of Human Services records.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Resources
Law and the Media in the Midwest: A Seven State Handbook Covering Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin by John R. Finnegan, Sr. and Patricia A. Hirl.
St. Paul, MN: Butterworth Legal Publishers, 1984. 352 p.
Order from: Amazon.com
Open Records/Open Meetings Manual published by the North Dakota Attorney General
The updated "Open Records" and "Open Meetings" manuals are contained in two separate, searchable, pdf files. Both manuals also may be saved or printed. In addition to providing detailed information about the state's "sunshine" laws, each manual also contains summaries of opinions and court decisions, an Index of Opinions, and links to view previously issued Attorney General Opinions. The Opinion summaries will be updated regularly. Read it here
Nebraska
Contacts
Sunshine Chair: John R. Bender
College of Journalism and Mass Communications
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
345 Andersen Hall
Lincoln, NE 68588-0474
Work: 402/472-3053
Home: 402/423-6636
Fax: 402/472-8597
E-mail
Office of the Attorney General
2115 State Capitol
Lincoln, NE 68509
402-471-2683
Email
Website
Nebraska Press Association
845 "S" St.
Lincoln, NE 68508
Phone (402) 476-2851
Fax (402) 476-2942
Email
Website
Contact: Allen Beermann, director
President
Dennis Morgan
Elgin Review
P.O. Box 359
Elgin, NE 68636-0359
402-843-5500
Email
Nebraska State Bar Association
635 S. 14th St.
PO. Box 81809
Lincoln, NE 68501
Phone (800) 927-0117 or (402) 475-7091
Fax (402) 475-709
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law Nebraska Statutes §84-1409 et seq.
Closed: Collective bargaining; real estate purchases; litigation; to protect an individual's reputation; and security personnel and devices.
Open Records Law Nebraska Statutes §84-712 et seq.
Exempt: personal information regarding students; medical records; trade secrets and unpublished academic and scientific research; work product of an attorney for a public body; investigative records of law enforcement and other public bodies with investigative duties; appraisals and negotiation information on purchase or sale of property by a public body; personal information about personnel of public bodies; information solely about the security of public property; security-related records pertaining to the state lottery; information about customers of public utilities; records of library patrons; correspondence, memoranda and phone calls of legislators related to performance of their duties; records that would reveal the location, character, or ownership of any known archaeological, historical or paleontological site; records of donors of articles of archaeological, historical or paleontological significance; application materials of finalists for jobs with a public body; social security numbers, credit card numbers and similar financial account information supplied to state and local governments by citizens.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Resources
Law and the Media in the Midwest: A Seven State Handbook Covering Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin by John R. Finnegan, Sr. and Patricia A. Hirl.
St. Paul, MN: Butterworth Legal Publishers, 1984. 352 p.
Order from: Amazon.com
New Hampshire
Contacts
Office of the Attorney General
33 Capitol Street
Concord, NH 03301
Phone (603) 271-3658
Fax (603) 271-2110
TDD Access: Relay NH 1-800-735-2964
Email
Website
New Hampshire Bar Association
2 Pillsbury Street, Suite 300
Concord NH 03301
Phone (603) 224-6942
Fax (603) 224-2910
E-mail [email protected]
http://www.nhbar.org/
New Hampshire Association of Broadcasters
707 Chestnut St.
Manchester, NH 03104
603-627-9600
Website
Contact: Jordan Walton, executive director
603-627-9600
Email
New Hampshire Press Association
Email
Website
New England Newspaper & Press Association
1 Arrow Drive, Suite 6
Woburn, MA 01801
781-281-2053
Fax: 339-999-2174
Email
Contact: Phillip Camp
Board of Directors and President of the Vermont Standard
Phone: 802-457-1313
Fax 802-457-3639
Email
New England First Amendment Coalition
508-983-6006
Email
Website
Rodney G. Doherty
603-859-4766
E-mail
Web Site
Debbie Martin Demers
Craighead & Martin
603-624-3922
Email
New England Newspaper & Press Association
370 Common Street
Barletta Hall
3rd Floor, Suite 319
Dedham, MA 02026
781-320-8050
Email
Website
Right to Know NH
Right to Know NH (RTKNH) is the only nonpartisan citizen coalition working to improve access to New Hampshire state, county, and local governments. We advocate to strengthen New Hampshire state laws, particularly the Right-to-Know law known as RSA 91-A, as well as Right-to-Know governmental policies. We serve as a resource on Right to Know in our state with the goal of making government more open and transparent. We educate citizens on their Right to Know and aid them in exercising their rights under the law. We educate public officials on improving their adherence to the law and delivering greater government transparency to their constituents.
Richard C. Gagliuso
Media law attorney. Rick’s firm is a member of the Media Law Resource Center, and he is a member of the Communications Forum of the American Bar Association. Expert on libel, privacy and all aspects of the state’s Right-to-Know Law.
Gagliuso & Gagliuso Professional Association
Harris Pond Office Park
32 Daniel Webster Highway, Suite 14
Merrimack, NH 03054
(603) 595-4500 ext. 12
E-mail
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
State Guide by First Amendment Coalition
Memorandum on New Hampshire’s Right-to-Know law
Open Meetings Law R.S.A. Ch. 91-A et seq.
Closed: Certain personnel matters, real estate meetings and pending litigation.
Open Records Law R.S.A. Ch. 01-A et seq.
Exempt: Investigative files; parole and pardon board records; student records; and certain commercial/financial information.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
New Jersey
Contacts
New Jersey Foundation for Open Government
P.O. Box 271
Jamesburg, NJ 08831
Email
Website
Contact: Walter M. Luers, Esq.
908-894-5656
Miriam Ascarelli
New Jersey Foundation for Open Government
973-596-3374
E-mail
Office of the Attorney General
RJ Hughes Justice Complex
25 Market Street, Box 080
Trenton, NJ 08625-0080
609-984-6112
Website
E-mail form
State Bar Association
New Jersey Law Center
One Constitution Square
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1520
Phone (732) 249-5000
Fax (732) 249-2815
http://www.njsba.com/
New Jersey Press Association
840 Bear Tavern Road, Suite 305
West Trenton, NJ 08628-1019
Phone (609) 406-0600
Fax (609) 406-0300
Website
George H. White, executive director
(609) 406-0600 ext. 30
Email
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law N.J.S.A. 10:4 et seq.
Closed: Meetings that may result in invasion of privacy; real estate transactions; collective bargaining agreements; pending litigation; and personnel action.
Open Records Law N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq.
Exempt: Child abuse records; and pending investigation records.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
New Mexico
Contacts
New Mexico Foundation for Open Government
115 Gold Ave. SW, Suite 201
Albuquerque, NM 87102
http://www.nmfog.org/
Email
Contact: Susan Boe, Executive Director
Phone 505.764-3750
Email
New Mexico Foundation for Open Government
Gregory Williams, President
(505) 247-4800
Email
Charles (Kip) Purcell
President, New Mexico Foundation for Open Government
Media law attorney
Rodey, Dickason, Sloan Akin & Robb, P.A.
P. O. Box 1888
Albuquerque, NM 87103
Phone: 505-768-7217
E-mail
State Bar of New Mexico
5121 Masthead St. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87199
Phone (505) 797-6000
Email
Website
Office of the Attorney General
P.O. Drawer 1508
Santa Fe, NM 87504-1508
Phone (505) 827-6000
Fax (505) 827-5826
Website
New Mexico Press Association
P.O. Box 95198
Albuquerque, NM 87199
505-275-1241
E-mail Email
Website
Contact: Philip M. Lucey, Executive Director
505-275-1377
Email
Estevan J. Lujan
Public Information Officer
715 Alta Vista Street
Santa Fe, NM 87502-0110
Phone: (505) 827-1051
Cell Phone: (505) 819-8129
Fax: (505) 827-2325
Email
Publications
The Sunshine Portal Website
Website
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law 10-15-1 N.M.S.A. 1978 et seq.
May be closed: Discussions of issuance, suspension, renewal or revocation of a license; limited (individual) personnel matters; deliberations in administrative adjudicatory proceeding relating to individual legal rights; personally identifiable student information; collective bargaining strategy; discussions of single-source purchases of more than more than $2,500; discussions of threatened or pending litigation subject to attorney-client privilege; acquisition or disposal of real property or water rights; discussions of strategic and long-range business plans or trade secrets of public hospital boards; discussions of gaming control board made confidential by gaming control act.
Open Records Law 14-2-1 NMSA 1978 et seq.
Exempt: Physical or mental examinations and medical treatment; letters of reference concerning employment, licensing or permits; matters of opinion in personnel files or students' cumulative files; law enforcement records that reveal confidential sources, methods, information or individuals accused but not charged; idenity of applicant or nominee for president of institution of learning but names of at least five finalists must be released at least 21 days before selection is made.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Nevada
Contacts
Sunshine Chair: Cathy Scott
Freelance journalist and author
Phone (702) 243-2923
E-mail [email protected]
Nevada Freedom of Information Coalition
P.O. Box 270872
Las Vegas, NV 89127
Contact: Charles Zobell, President
Phone 702.383.0293
http://nevadafoic.org/
Email
Office of the Attorney General
Nevada Department of Justice
Carson City Office
100 North Carson Street
Carson City, Nevada 89701-4717
Phone (775) 684-1100
Fax (775) 684-1108
Website
Contact: Meg Caldwell
Public Records Coordinator
100 N. Carson Street
Carson City, NV 89701
Telephone: 775-684-1100
Fax: 775-684-1108
Email
State Bar of Nevada
3100 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 100
Las Vegas, NV 89104
702-382-2200
Website
Contact: Kim Farmer, executive director
702-382-2200 ext. 400
Email
Nevada Press Association
Executive director: Barry Smith
102 N. Curry St.
Carson City, Nev 89703
Phone (775) 885-0866
Fax (775) 885-8233
Email
Website
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law N.R.S. 241 et seq.
Closed: To consider someone's character, alleged misconduct, or professional competence; and to conduct labor negotiations.
Open Records Law N.R.S. 239 et seq.
Exempt: Over 300 exemptions. Custodians must balance privacy issues with public interest.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
New York
Contacts
Sunshine Chair: Carolyn James
CJ Inc.
85 Broadway
Amityville NY 11701
Office: 631-608-4495
Cell: 631-383-7165
Home: 631-647-3909
E-mail
Empire Center for Public Policy
100 State Street
Suite 600
Albany, NY 12207
Phone: 518-434-3100
Fax: 518-434-3130
Email
Website
New York Press Association
621 Columbia Street Ext. Cohoes, NY 12047
518-464-6483
Website
Contact: President Bryan Boyhan
Sag Harbor Express
Email
Tully Center for Free Speech
Room 426 Newhouse III
Newhouse School/Syracuse University
215 University Place
Syracuse NY 13244-2100
Contact: Barbara Croll Fought, Associate Professor
Phone (315) 443-4054
Email
Website
Director: Roy S. Gutterman
315-443-3523
Email
Media lawyer contact: Michael J. Grygiel
518-689-1406
Email
Office of the Attorney General
The Capitol
Albany, NY 12224-0341
800-771-7755
E-mail Email
Website
The New York Bar Association
One Elk St.
Albany, NY 12207
Phone (518) 463-3200
Fax (518) 487-5517
Website
Contact: Media Services Department
518-487-5530
Email
Committee on Open Government
New York Department of State
One Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Ave
Albany, NY 12231-0001
Phone (518) 474-2518
Fax (518) 474-1927
Website
E-mail forms
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law NY Pub. Off. Law sec. 103 et seq.
Closed: Litigation strategy discussions; collective bargaining; certain real estate transactions; certain personnel matters; and matters which would imperil public safety or law enforcement or disclose identity of informant.
Open Records Law NY Pub. Off. Law sec. 84 et seq.
Exempt: Disclosures resulting in unwarranted invasion of privacy or business/competition enterprises; names of sex crime victims; and some law enforcement records and inter/intra-agency materials.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Ohio
Contacts
Sunshine Chair: Richard D. Hendrickson, Ph.D.
John Carroll University
4537 Avocado St., Los Angeles, CA 90027
Phone: 323-806-1427
E-mail
David L. Marburger
Media attorney and counsel for the Ohio Coalition for Open Government
Expert on Ohio open meeting and records laws.
Baker and Hostetler, Cleveland
216-861-7956
E-mail
Jay Miller
Reporter with Crain's Cleveland Business.
(w) 216-771-5362
(h) 216-761-5064
(c) 216-402-7147
E-mail
Jan Leach
Director of Media Law Center for Ethics and Access at Kent State
330-672-4289
Email
Ohio Coalition for Open Government
1335 Dublin Rd., #216
Columbus, OH 43215
Website
Contact: Dennis Hetzel, President
Phone (614) 486-6677
Fax (614) 486-4940
Email
Office of the Attorney General
State Office Tower
30 East Broad Street, 17th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-3428
Phone (614)466-4320
Website
Ohio State Bar Association
1700 Lake Shore Drive
Columbus OH, 43204
Phone (800) 282-6556; (614) 487-2050
Fax (614) 487-1008
http://www.ohiobar.org/
E-mail [email protected]
Ohio Newspaper Association
1335 Dublin Rd., Suite 216-B
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone (614) 486-6677
Fax (614) 486-4940
http://www.ohionews.org/
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law Ohio Rev. Code sec. 121.22 et seq.
Closed: Real estate transactions; certain personnel matters; certain law enforcement meetings; Adult Parole Authority; and certain medical board meetings.
Open Records Law Ohio Rev. Code sec. 149.43 et seq.
Exempt: Personal bank records; medical records; adoption records; probation and parole records; and certain law enforcement investigative records.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Resources
The Legal Handbook for Ohio Journalists provides general legal information updated for 2002, as well as information about media issues directly affecting Ohio's journalists. Read it here.
Ohio Sunshine Laws Open Government Resource Manual 2015, published by Attorney Generals Office
Oklahoma
Contacts
Sunshine Chair: Diana Baldwin
The Daily Oklahoman
405-475-3311
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Oklahoma, Inc.
216 East 6th Street
Edmond, OK 73034
Contact: Kay Bickham, Executive Director
Phone (405) 341-3169
http://www.foioklahoma.org/
E-mail Email
Office of the Attorney General
313 NE 21st Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Phone (405) 521-3921
Website
Oklahoma Bar Association
P.O. Box 53036
1901 N. Lincoln
Oklahoma City, OK 73152-3036
Phone (405) 416-7000
Fax (405) 416-7001
http://www.okbar.org/
Oklahoma Press Association
3601 N Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Phone (888) 815-2672 (in Oklahoma); (405) 524-4421 (outside OK)
http://www.okpress.com/
Contact: Jeff Funk, president
580-548-8135
Email
Joey Senat
OSU School of Media & Strategic Communications
Board of Directors, FOI Oklahoma
State Coordinator for Oklahoma’s Sunshine Week
Email
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law OK Stat., tit. 25, §301 et seq.
Closed: Executive sessions of the State Banking Board and Oklahoma Savings and Loan Board; state judiciary, legislative, or administrative staffs meetings of public bodies; and some meetings of institutions of higher education and certain school board meetings.
Open Records Law OK Stat, tit. 51, §24A.1 et seq.
Exempt: If protected by state evidentiary privilege; real estate appraisals; personnel records; registration files of sex offenders; public officials' personnel notes; business-related bids; computer programs; medical market research; and certain educational records including student records.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Resources
Model Letter for Public Records Requests in Oklahoma, Joey Senat, Ph.D., OSU School of Journalism and Broadcasting.
This model letter contains citations to the relevant statutory and judicial language regarding the public's right of access to open records in Oklahoma. The letter is available online for free, but the author asks that he be notified by email when it is used.
Mass Communication Law in Oklahoma, 5th Edition. Joey Senat, Ph.D. New Forums Press, Inc., 2002. 181 p.
Part of New Forums Press state media law series, this book explains Oklahoma¹s open records and open meeting laws by analyzing the relevant state statutes, judicial decisions and attorney general opinions.
Oregon
Contacts
Nick Budnick
SPJ Oregon Territory Chapter Sunshine Chair, Co-chair of SPJ Oregon FOI Committee
818 SW 3rd Ave. #376
Portland, OR 97204
Email
Lee van der Voo
Former sunshine chair and author of Redacted (transparency column for InvestigateWest)
909 N. Beech St., Ste. 209B
Portland, OR 97227
503-431-1101
Email
Open Oregon: A Freedom of Information Coalition
Shasta Kearns Moore, president
Email
Website
@Open-Oregon
1500 SW First Ave, Ste 400
Portland, OR 97201
Office of the Attorney General
Department of Justice
1162 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 97301-4096
Phone (503) 378-4400
TTY (503) 378-5938
http://www.doj.state.or.us/
Oregon State Bar
P.O. Box 231935
Tigard, OR 97281-1935
16037 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd.
Tigard, OR 97224
Phone (503) 620-0222; (800) 452-8260 (in Oregon)
Email
Website
Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association
400 Kruse Way Place, Bldg 2, Suite 160
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
Phone (503) 624-6397
Fax (503) 639-9009 or (503) 624-9811
http://www.orenews.com/
[email protected]
Contact: David Baker, president
541-338-2320
Email
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law O.R.S. 192.610 et seq.
Closed: Personnel matters; filling of a vacancy in elective office; misconduct investigations; conduct of medical staff at public hospitals; some labor negotiations; property negotiations; trade or commerce negotiations; and attorney consultations.
Open Records Laws O.R.S. 192.410 et seq.
Exempt: Records less than 75 years old containing information on the health care treatment of a living individual; impending litigation; trade secrets; criminal investigation materials; testing materials; real estate appraisals; personnel disciplinary action; and computer programs.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Resources
Media Handbook on Oregon Law and Court System was prepared by the Oregon Bar-Press-Broadcasters Council to increase cooperation among these professions and provide wider understanding of the Oregon court system among journalists and broadcasters. Members of the Oregon State Bar, the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association, and the Oregon Association of Broadcasters shared their expertise to develop this reference manual. Its purpose is to answer the most commonly asked questions concerning the media and courts. Available online here.
Attorney Generals Public Records and Meetings Manual, 2014
Pennsylvania
Contacts
Sunshine Chair: Susan Schwartz
Press Enterprise
3185 Lackawanna Ave.
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Work: 570/752-3645
Home: 570/387-1484
E-mail
Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition
4075 Linglestown Rd., #312
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Email
Website
Contact: Corinna Vecsey Wilson, Executive Director
717-979-3407
Office of the Attorney General
Strawberry Square, 16th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone (717) 787-3391
Fax (717) 787-8242
http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/
Pennsylvania Bar Association
100 South Street
P.O. Box 186
Harrisburg, PA 17108-0186
800-932-0311
http://www.pabar.org/
E-mail [email protected]
Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association
3899 N. Front St.
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Phone (717) 703-3000
Fax (717) 703-3001
Website
Contact: Sara Glines
717-767-3490
Email
Pennsylvania Society of News Editors
(Disvision of Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association)
3899 N. Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17110
717-703-3069
Website
President: Scott Blanchard
717-771-2099
Email
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Office of Open Records
Commonwealth Keystone Building
400 North Street, 4th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225
Phone: 717-346-9903
Email
Website
Contact: Nathanael Byerly, executive director
Email
Center for the First Amendment
Pennsylvania State University
201F Carnegie Building
University Park, PA 16802-5101
Phone (814) 865-8801
Email
Website
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law 65 Pa. Cons. Stat. Section 261 et. seq.
Closed: Attorney consultations; collective bargaining; certain personnel matters; and some real estate transactions.
Open Records Law 65 Pa. Stat. Section 66.1 et seq.
Exempt: Some investigative records; birth and death records; some election reports; and accident reports.
Form Letters
— Pennsylvania Office of Open Records, for Right to Know and Appeal forms, Training and Information Mediation forms and samples of requests
— Downloadable Right to Know Law and Sunshine Act
— Sunshine Act information by Department of Community and Economic Development (click on “Open Meetings”).
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Resources
Media Survival Kit: Pennsylvania First Amendment Coalition prepared by Samuel E. Klein, Amy B. Ginensky, Vernon L. Francis, and Robert C. Clothier.
The Media Survival Kit, last updated in 2001, is published by the Pennsylvania First Amendment Coalition. The book was printed by the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association and distributed to PNA member newspapers. Pennsylvania's Right to Know Act, which concerns government records, was updated since the Media Survival Kit was printed. PNA's Legal Department produced a guide to the 2008 changes, which is a handy reference to use in conjunction with the Media Survival Kit. Access the kit here.
Rhode Island
Contacts
Sunshine Chair: Linda Lotridge Levin
Professor emeritus of journalism and chair
Department of Journalism
University of Rhode Island
228 Chafee, Kingston, RI 02881
E-mail
401-874-4287
ACCESS/RI
Chafee 231
Journalism Department
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI 02881
Contact: Linda Levin
Phone (401) 874-2196
http://www.accessri.org/
E-mail [email protected]
Steve Brown
Executive director, Rhode Island ACLU
128 Dorrance Street, Suite 220
Providence, RI 02903
E-mail
401-831-7171
Rhode Island Press Association
Website
Contact: Mark Murphy, president
Email
Joseph V. Cavanagh
First Amendment attorney, Blish and Cavanagh
30 Exchange Terrace
Providence, RI, 02903
E-mail
401-831-8900
Sheila Mullowney
Sunshine Week coordinator
Executive Editor, The Newport Daily News
401-380-2351
E-mail
Office of the Attorney General
150 S. Main Street
Providence, RI 02903
Phone (401) 274-4400
Website
State Bar Association
41 Sharpe Dr
Cranston RI 02920
Phone (401) 421-5740
Website
E-mail[email protected]
New England First Amendment Coalition
508-983-6006
Email
Website
Contact: Karen Bordeleau
Editor, Providence Journal
401-277-7332
Email
New England Newspaper & Press Association
1 Arrow Drive, Suite 6
Woburn, MA 01801
781-281-2053
Fax: 339-999-2174
Email
Contact: Phillip Camp
Board of Directors and President of the Vermont Standard
Phone: 802-457-1313
Fax 802-457-3639
Email
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law R.I. Gen. Laws §§42-46-1
Closed: Certain personnel matters; collective bargaining; litigation; security; real estate transactions; school committees; student disciplinary hearings; and student records.
Open Records Law R.I. Gen. Laws §§38-2-1
Exempt: Presumption of disclosure with few exemptions.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Resources
Rhode Island State Guide by New England First Amendment Coalition
South Carolina
Contacts
South Carolina Press Association FOI Committee
1311 Marion Street
Columbia, SC 57006
Contact: Trisha O’Connor
843-349-6652
Email
Website
Contact: Bill Rogers, executive director
803-750-9561
E-mail
Jay Bender
SCPA Legal Counsel
3710 Landmark Drive, Suite 400
Columbia, SC 29204
803-799-9091
Email
Office of the Attorney General
Rembert Dennis Building
1000 Assembly Street, Room 519
Columbia, S.C. 29201
Phone (803) 734-3970
Website
Email
South Carolina Bar
950 Taylor Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone (803) 799-6653
Fax (803) 799-4118
http://www.scbar.org/
E-mail [email protected]
South Carolina Press Association
106 Outlet Pointe Blvd.
Columbia, SC 29210
803-750-9561
http://www.scpress.org/
Contact: Judith Mundy Burns
864-943-2533
Email
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law S.C. Code Ann. §30-4-60
Closed: Certain personnel matters, criminal investigations, and some real estate transactions.
Open Records Law S.C. Code Ann. §30-4-10
Exempt: Pending investigation documents; confidential attorney communications; identification of informants; certain bank and business transactions; and income tax returns.
The S.C. FOIA: This is the entire text of the law.
Plain language interpretation of law, by Attorney Jay Bender and FOI Committe emeritus John Shurr
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
South Dakota
Contacts
David Bordewyk
Brookings, manager of the South Dakota Newspaper Association
Mr. Bordewyk put together the South Dakota Freedom of Information Coalition and was instrumental in the passage this year of a much-improved open government law.
1-800-658-3697; E-mail
Jon Arneson
Sioux Falls, attorney
Mr. Arneson wrote the South Dakota portion of the Open Government Guide created by the Reporter’s Committee for Freedom of the Press and has represented various media on a number of free-press issues.
123 South Main Avenue #202
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
605-335-0083
Dr. Mary Arnold
Brookings, head of the South Dakota State University Department of Journalism and Mass Communication. Dr. Arnold teaches the media law course. 605-688-4171; E-mail
Chuck Baldwin
Journalist in Residence/Instructor at University of SD
414 W. Clark St, Vermillion, SD 57069
877-269-6837
Email
Office of the Attorney General
1302 E Hwy 14
Suite 1
Pierre SD 57501-8501
Phone (605) 773-3215
TTY (605) 773-6585
Fax (605) 773-4106
Email
Website
State Bar of South Dakota
222 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone (605) 224-7554 or (800) 952-2333
http://www.sdbar.org/
Contact: Thomas C. Barnett, Jr., executive director
Email
South Dakota Newspaper Association
1125 32nd Avenue
Brookings, SD 57006
605-692-4300 or 800-658-3697
http://www.sdna.com/
[email protected]
Contact: Bill Krikac, president
605-532-3654
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law S.D.C.L. 1-25-1 et seq.
Closed: Legal matters; employee or student performance; labor negotiations; and pricing strategies by publicly-owned competitive businesses.
Open Records Law S.D.C.L. 1-27-1 et seq.
Exempt: Savings and loan association reports; school records; juvenile court records; adoption records; hospital licensing and inspection information; and medical research information.
State statutes regarding public records, SDCL ch. 1-27, may be found on the Legislature’s webpage.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Resources
Law and the Media in the Midwest: A Seven State Handbook Covering Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin by John R. Finnegan, Sr. and Patricia A. Hirl.
St. Paul, MN: Butterworth Legal Publishers, 1984. 352 p.
Order from: Amazon.com
Tennessee
Contacts
Tennessee Coalition for Open Government
P.O. Box 22248
Nashville, TN 37202
Website
Contacts: Frank Gibson, public policy director
Phone (615) 202-2685
E-mail Email
Deborah Fisher, executive director
615.602.4080
Email
Attorney General of Tennessee
P.O. Box 20207
Nashville, TN 37202-0207
Phone (615) 741-2009
Website
First Amendment Center
Institute for Public Policy Studies
Vanderbilt University
1207 18th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone (615) 727-1600
E-mail for research requests, [email protected]
E-mail for comments or questions, [email protected]
Website
Contact: Ken Paulson
President and Dean at College of Mass Communications at Middle TN State University
615/898-2195
Email
Tennessee Bar Association
221 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 400
Nashville, TN 37219-2198
Phone (615)383-7421
Fax (615)297-8058
E-mail [email protected]
Website
Tennessee Press Association
625 Market Street, Suite 1100
Knoxville, TN 37909
Phone (865) 584-5761
Fax (865) 558-8687
Toll free (800) 565-7377
Website
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law Tenn. Code Ann. 8-44-102 et seq.
Closed: Labor negotiations; personnel matters; and discussions with an attorney regarding pending litigation.
Open Records Law Tenn. Code Ann. 10-7-503 et seq.
Exempt: Medical records of patients in state institutions; some investigative records; public school student records; and some economic development issues, such as land acquisition.
Constitution of the State of Tennessee
Keys to Open Government, a 52-page guide to Tennessee’s open records and open meetings laws, by Frank Gibson and Deb Fisher, released in February 2015.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Texas
Contacts
Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, Inc.
3001 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite 302
Austin, TX 78705
Hotline: 800-580-6651 (for legal questions about FOI issues, Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act)
Website
Contact: Diane Fuentes, president
Editor, Community Publications
San Antonio Express-News
210-250-3000
Email
Contact: Kelley Shannon, executive director
512-377-1575
Email
Office of the Attorney General
300 W. 15th Street
Austin, TX 78701
Phone (800) 252-8011 or (512) 475-4413
Website
Open Government Hotline: 877-673-6839
Contact: Lauren Downey
Public Information Coordinator
Office of the Attorney General
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711 2548
State Bar Association
Website
President: Allan K. Dubois
Law Office of Allan K. DuBois, P.C.
Weston Centre, 112 E. Pecan St., Ste. 1300
San Antonio 78205
(210) 227-3106
Texas Press Association
305 S. Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704
Phone (512) 477-6755
Website
Contact: Randy Mankin, president
Editor, The Big Lake Wildcat
325-884-2215
Email
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. art. 6252-17a
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 private communications of public office holders; certain trade or financial secrets; and student records.
Open Meetings Law Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. art. 6252-17-1
Closed: Attorney consultations; real estate transactions; hearings of the ethics commission; personnel and individual student matters; and emergency medical service quality reviews, etc.
Freedom of Information Handbook from the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas (requires an email address)
Public Information Handbook 2014
Utah
Contacts
Utah Foundation for Open Government
c/o The Valley Journals
P.O. Box 1084
Riverton, UT 84065
Contact: Linda Petersen, President
E-mail
Parr Brown Gee & Loveless
Jeffrey J. Hunt, Esq.
185 South State Street, Suite 700
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
801-532-7840
Email
Austin J. Riter, Esq.
Email
Office of the Attorney General
Utah State Capitol Complex
350 North State Street, Suite 230
P.O. Box 142320
Salt Lake City. UT 84114
Phone (801) 366-0260 or (800) 244-4636 (in Utah)
http://attorneygeneral.utah.gov/
E-mail [email protected]
Betsy Ross
Office Of Utah State Treasurer, former chair of State records committee
350 North State St. Suite 180
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
(801) 538-1472
Email
Utah State Bar
645 So. 200 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Phone (801) 531-9077
Fax (801) 531-0660
http://www.utahbar.org/
E-mail [email protected]
Utah Press Association
9716 South 500 West
Sandy, UT 84070
801-237-2376
Email
Website
Contact: Brian Allfrey, executive director
801-237-2379
Email
Allison Barlow Hess
Weber State University
1605 University Circle
Odgen, UT 84408-1605
801-626-7948
[email protected]
Joel Campbell
Assistant city editor at the Deseret News and FOI Chair of the Utah Headliners Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Email
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law Utah Open and Public Meetings Act, 52-4-1 et-seq Link to Meetings Law
Open Records Law Government Records Access and Management Act, 63-2-101 et seq.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
GRAMA Request form
Virginia
Contacts
Sunshine Chair: Richard J. Hammerstrom
Free Lance-Star
616 Amelia St.
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Work: 540/374-5414
Home: 540/371-4740
Fax: 540/373-8455
E-mail
Virginia Coalition for Open Government
Box 2576
Williamsburg, VA 23187
Phone 540.353.8264
Twitter http://twitter.com/opengovva
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Virginia-Coalition-for-Open-Government/118024836400
Contact: Megan Rhyne, Executive Director
Email [email protected]
http://www.opengovva.org/
Office of the Attorney General
900 East Main Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone (804) 786-2071
http://www.oag.state.va.us
E-mail [email protected]
Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression
400 Worrell Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22911
Phone (434) 295-4784
Website
Contact: J. Joshua Wheeler
Email
Virginia FOI Advisory Council
General Assembly Building, 2nd Floor
201 North 9th Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone Toll-Free (866) 448-4100; (804) 225-3056
Fax (804) 371-8705
Email
Website
Virginia State Bar
1111 East Main Street, Suite 700
Richmond, VA 23219-0026
Phone (804) 775-0500
Fax (804) 775-0501
TDD (804) 775-0502
http://www.vsb.org/
Virginia State General Assembly
The texts of bills from the Virginia legislature are readily available to the public at this site. You can check bills and resolutions or read details on members.
Website
Virginia Press Association
11529 Nuckols Road
Glen Allen, VA 23059
Phone (804) 521-7570
Website
Executive director: Betsy Edwards
(804) 521-7584
Email
Contacts (Northern Virginia):
Kalea Seitz Clark, The Washington Post
(202) 334-794,
James A. McLaughlin, The Washington Post
(202) 334-7988
Contact (Tidewater Region): John Edwards, The Smithfield Times
(757) 357-3288
Email
Contact (Upper-Middle Shenandoah Valley Region): Lawrence McConnell, The Roanoke Times
Email
(540) 981-3210
Contact (Southwest Region): Megan Schnabel, The Roanoke Times
(540) 981-3340
Email
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law Va. Code Secs. 2.2-3700 et seq
Closed: Terrorism activities precautions; some personnel matters, attorney consultations, real estate matters, student disciplinary matters, etc.
Open Records Law Va. Code Secs. 2.2-3700 et seq
Exempt: Some criminal investigations; some police reports; tax returns; medical records; personnel matters; real estate; attorney client privilege exemptions; and working papers.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Resources
Local Government Officials' Guide
Charlottesville, VA: Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service6, 2006.
An excellent analysis of Virginia's Freedom of Information Act, written from the perspective of a government official.
Price: $5; $4 for orders of five or more.
Order from:
Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service
University of Virginia
700 E Franklin St #700
Richmond, VA 23219
804-371-0202
Mass Communication Law in Virginia
Published by W. Wat Hopkins, New Forums Press, Stillwater OK, 1999, 118 pages
Format: One-volume reference manual. 8 in.
Price: $14.95 plus $1.50 shipping
Order from:
First Amendment Foundation
New Forums Press
P.O. Box 876
Stillwater, OK 74076
Phone (405)372-6158
Public Information Pamphlets
Compiled by the Virginia State Bar
The Virginia State Bar publishes pamphlets on law-related issues for Virginia’s citizens. If you would like to order printed copies of these pamphlets, please download the Publications Order Form* (pdf) and fax or mail with payment (when applicable) to the Virginia State Bar at (804) 775-0582.
Format: PDF
Text of VA FOI Act by Freedom of Information Advisory Council
Vermont
Contacts
Vermont Press Association & Vermont Coalition for Open Government
Journalism Department
JeanMarie Hall 169
St. Michael's College
Colchester, VT 05439-0284
Phone (802) 654-2442
Contact: Michael Donoghue, Executive Director
E-mail
New England Newspaper & Press Association
1 Arrow Drive, Suite 6
Woburn, MA 01801
781-281-2053
Fax: 339-999-2174
Email
Contact: Phillip Camp
Board of Directors and President of the Vermont Standard
Phone: 802-457-1313
Fax 802-457-3639
Email
Mike Donoghue
Longtime Burlington Free Press staffer, adjunct professor, Vermont chair of SPJ Project Sunshine, and First Vice President of the New England First Amendment Coalition.
Phone 802-310-7866
E-mail
Bob Hemley,
Burlington lawyer with Gravel and Shea, has handled most of the major FOI cases, subpoenas and close courtrooms/sealed documents.
76 St. Paul Street, 7th Floor
P.O. Box 369
Burlington, VT 05402-0369
802-658-0220
Email
Tom Kearney
Former editor of The Keene Sentinel of Keene, N.H., and active with the New England First Amendment Coalition. Currently, an editor for the Stowe Reporter group in Stowe, Vt.
Stowe Reporter
P.O. Box 489
Stowe, VT 05672
802-253-2101 Ext. 11
Email
Web Site
Vermont Secretary of State James Condos
128 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05633-1101
Phone: 802-828-2148
Fax: 802-828-2496
E-mail
Website
Office of the Attorney General
109 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05609-1001
Phone (802) 828-3171
Fax (802) 828-5341
Email
Website
Vermont Bar Association
P.O. Box 100
Montpelier Vt 05601
Phone (802) 223-2020
Fax (802) 223-1573
Website
E-mail
Contact: Daniel P. Richardson, President
Tarrant, Gillies & Richardson
802-223-1112
Email
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law 1 V.S.A. §§310 et seq.
Closed: Contract negotiations; employee matters; certain real estate matters; disciplinary records of public employees and students; and other records/documents exempted in Title 1, 317b; and discussions that would result in a clear and imminent peril to public safety.
Open Records Law 1 V.S.A. §§315 et seq.
Exempt: Twenty exemptions including: Personnel files; criminal investigation records; tax documents; and location of historical/archaeological sites.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Washington
Contacts
Sunshine Chair: Michele Earl-Hubbard
Media law attorney
Allied Law Group
2200 Sixth Ave, Suite 770
Seattle, WA, 98121
Phone: 206/801-7510
Fax: 206/428-7169
E-mail
Washington Coalition for Open Government
6351 Seaview Avenue NW
Seattle, WA 98107
Website
Email
Contact: Elly Snow, Executive Director
Phone (206) 782-0393
Fax (206) 623-4474
Project Access Northwest
Edward R. Murrow School of Communication
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164
Phone 206.788.4204
Website
Contact: Sallie Nellie, Director
(206) 496-1590
Email
Freedom Foundation
PO Box 552
Olympia, WA 98507
Email
Website
Contact: Jonathan Bechtle, CEO
Phone 360-956-3482
Nancy Krier
Assistant Attorney General for Open Government
360-586-7842
Email
Greg Overstreet
Media law attorney
Overstreet Law Firm
1204 Ave E, Suite 6
Olympia, WA 98506
Phone: 360-753-7510
E-mail
Office of the Attorney General
1125 Washington St. SE
PO Box 40100
Olympia, WA. 98504-0100
Phone (360) 753-6200
http://www.atg.wa.gov/
Washington State Office of the Attorney General Sunshine Committee
PO Box 40100
Olympia WA 98504-0100
Contact: Judy Gaul
Email
Mailing list
Washington State Bar Association
1325 Fourth Ave., Ste. 600
Seattle, WA 98101-2539
Phone: 800-945-9722
Fax 206-727-8319
http://www.wsba.org/
E-mail [email protected]
Washington Press Association
P. O. Box 161
Pacific Beach, WA 98571
Phone (360) 276-8215 ext. 287
Website
E-mail Email
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law Wash. Rev. Code § 42.30.010 et seq.
Closed: Meetings about national security matters and site selection; acquisition of real estate; and personnel matters.
Open Records Law Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.010 et seq.
Exempt: Personal student or patient information; employee files; and some investigative records.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Resources
Open-Government Blog
Attorney General’s Open Government Internet Deskbook
The Attorney General has a good Web site the provides tips for obtaining public records, a deskbook, and model rules for public disclosure. If you are illegally denied a public record look up the AG’s explanation of how it should be open, then provide the agency a link to the AG’s Web site — the agency might not listen to you but it might listen to the highest government attorney in Washington.
League of Women Voters’ Observing Your Government in Action
This 32-page booklet outlines the “Observer” program, where citizens attend public meetings and report actions to citizens. The League has observers covering a variety of agencies, including those journalists might not be covering. Could make for good sources.
Washington Access Guide
This booklet is great to have on any desk. It provides the statutes and explanation of the public records and open meeting laws, among other things. The guide is put out by the SPJ Western Washington chapter. Contact the chapter for more information.
Obtaining Public Records: A Citizens’ Rights Publication by the Attorney General's Office
Wisconsin
Contacts
Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council
101 King Street
Madison, WI 53703
Phone (608) 251-5627
Website
Contact: Bill Leuders, President
Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism
(608) 669-4712
Email
Office of the Attorney General
Post Office Box 7857
Suite 114 East
Madison, WI 53707-7857
Phone (608) 266-1221
Fax (608) 267-2779
http://www.doj.state.wi.us/
Contact: Kevin C. Potter, public records officer
Office of the Attorney General
Wisconsin Department of Justice
17 West Main Street
P.O. Box 7857
Madison, WI 53707-7857
State of Wisconsin Government Accountability Board
212 East Washington Avenue, Third Floor P.O. Box 7984
Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7984
608-266-8005 or 1-800-947-3529
Email
Website [gab.wi.gov]
Website [sunshine.wi.gov]
Open Government Section at Wisconsin Department of Justice
Legal Services Division
P.O. Box 7857
Madison, WI 53707-7857
(608) 266-3952
Website
Christa Westerberg
FOIC Vice President
McGillivray Westerberg & Bender LLC
305 S. Paterson St.
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 310-3560
(608) 310-3561 Fax
Email
State Bar of Wisconsin
5302 Eastpark Blvd.
Madison, WI 53718-2101
(800) 728-7788 or (608) 257-3838
Website
Email
Wisconsin Newspaper Association
34 Schroeder Court, Suite 220, Madison, WI
Phone: (608) 283-7620
Toll Free: (800) 261-4242
http://www.wnanews.com/
Contact: Beth Bennett, director
(608) 283-7621
Email
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law Wis. Stat. 19.81 et seq.
Closed: Certain negative or disciplinary personnel matters; personnel employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluations; strategy for crime detection and prevention; to deliberate or negotiate the purchase of public properties; to consider financial, medical, social or personal histories or disciplinary data of specific persons that would likely have a substantial adverse affect upon the reputation of the person; and attorney consultations.
Open Records Law Wis. Stat. 19.31 et seq.
Exempt: Certain investigative records, computer programs and trade secrets; public library circulation records are confidential.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Resources
Law and the Media in the Midwest: A Seven State Handbook Covering Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin by John R. Finnegan, Sr. and Patricia A. Hirl.
St. Paul, MN: Butterworth Legal Publishers, 1984. 352 p.
Order from: Amazon.com
Wisconsin News Reporters Legal Handbook Published by the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Media-Law Relations Committee in cooperation with the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association and the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. Sixth Edition, 2013. Read it online or
Order from: State Bar of Wisconsin at (800) 728-7788 or (608) 257-3838. Each copy is $5 plus shipping, handling, and applicable sales tax.
Public Records Law Compliance Guide, 2012: Newly updated guide from the Attorney General's office.
West Virginia
Contacts
State Sunshine Chair: Allison Barker
The Associated Press
Phone (304) 346-0897
West Virginia Open Government Coalition
Marshall University, School of Journalism & Mass Communications
1 John Marshall Drive
Huntington, WV 25755
Email
Website
Contact: Michael McAteer, coordinator
Phone: 304-696-2809
Email
Office of the Attorney General
West Virginia State Capitol
Building 1, Room 26
Charleston, WV 25305
Phone (800) 235-6881
Fax (800) 526-6939
Website
John Temple
Associate Dean/Associate Professor
Founder of West Virginia Uncovered
P.I. Reed School of Journalism
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6010
Morgantown, WV 26506-6010
304-293-6116
Email
Suzanne Weise
Co-author of Open Government Guide: Open Records and Meetings Laws in West Virginia
WVU College of Law
101 Law School Drive | P.O. Box 6130 | Morgantown, WV 26506
Room 170
304-293-3367
Email
West Virginia Press Association Legal Hotline
Phil Reale
304-342-1891
Email
Website
West Virginia State Bar
2000 Deitrick Blvd.
Charleston, WV 25311
304-553-7220
http://www.wvbar.org/
Contact: W. Michael Frazier, president
P.O. BOX 2808
Huntington, WV 25727
304-697-4370
Email
West Virginia Press Association
3422 Pennsylvania Ave.
Charleston, WV 25302
304-342-1011
Alternate Phone: 1-800-235-6881
Contact: Don Smith, executive director
304-353-1160
Email
Website
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law W.Va. Code § 6-9A-1 et seq.
Closed: Some medical information; meetings on riots, personnel, discipline, suspension or expulsion of a student.
Open Records Law W.Va. Code § 29B-1-1 et seq.
Exempt: Trade secrets; information violating personal privacy; some exam data; some archaeological sites; and law enforcement records for internal use.
Full text of West Virginia FOIA
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
Wyoming
Contacts
Wyoming Coalition for Open Government
2121 Evans Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82001
Phone (307) 635-3905
Fax (307) 635-3912
Contact: Jim Angell
Email
Website
Brian Martin
Managing editor for the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle
702 W. Lincolnway
Cheyenne, WY 82001
307-633-3118
Email
Bruce Moats
WPA "Hotline" attorney — specializes in open government issues
2515 Pioneer Ave.
Cheyenne, WY 82001
(307) 778-8844
(A former newspaper editor who turned attorney)
D. Reed Eckhardt
President, Wyoming Coalition for Open Government (WyCOG)
managing editor for the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle
702 W. Lincolnway, Cheyenne, WY 82001
307-633-3120
Email
Office of the Attorney General
123 Capitol
200 W. 24th Street
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone (307) 777-7841
TDD (307) 777-5351
Fax (307) 777-6869
Website
Wyoming State Bar
4124 Laramie Street
Cheyenne, WY 82001
Phone (307) 632-9061
Fax (307) 632-3737
http://www.wyomingbar.org/
Wyoming Press Association
2121 Evans Ave.
Laramie, WY 82001
Phone 307-635-3905
Hotline: 307-778-8844
Website
Email
Contact: Robb Hicks
Buffalo Bulletin
Phone: (307) 684-2223
Email
Publications
Open Government Guide from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Open Meetings Law Wyo. Stat. § 16-4-401 et seq.
Closed: Sessions regarding threats to security; personnel matters; parole board meetings regarding granting of parole; purchasing or leasing of property; and meetings regarding anonymous gifts to public agencies.
Open Records Law Wyo. Stat. § 16-4-201 et seq.
Exempt: Some law enforcement investigation records; testing materials; details of state institutions' research projects; labor negotiations; school board and university student disciplinary records; and medical records of publicly funded hospitals.
Form Letters
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (800) 336-4243 or (703) 807-2100
E-mail [email protected]
FOI Letter Generator
Student Press Law Center
1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Phone (703) 807-1904
E-mail [email protected]
Request Letter Generator
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