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Freedom of Information Act › Public Records › State and Local Government

The Freedom of Information Act is a United States federal statute enacted in 1966 to promote government transparency and the free exchange of public information. Under FOIA, any individual can request federal... more +
The Freedom of Information Act is a United States federal statute enacted in 1966 to promote government transparency and the free exchange of public information. Under FOIA, any individual can request federal agency records and enforce that right in a court of law. However, not all agency records can be requested; there are nine exempt categories of information. In addition to the federal law, many states have passed their own freedom of information acts. These acts are often similar but not always identical to the federal version.  less -
Morgan Lewis

State & Federal Public Records Laws: An Often-Overlooked Discovery Tool

Morgan Lewis on

Information and document requests under the Freedom of Information Act and analogous state public records laws can be powerful and relatively inexpensive tools in a party’s litigation toolbox and are not only reserved for...more

Tucker Arensberg, P.C.

OOR (Office of Open Records) Holds that “Frank Curry” FOIA Buddy Requests Can Be Denied for Being Anonymous

Tucker Arensberg, P.C. on

In Frank Curry and FOIABuddy v. South Western School District, AP 2024-1311, a school district (“District”) received a request for records related to IT operations, contracts, staff, and IT budget from Frank Curry and...more

Best Best & Krieger LLP

California Supreme Court Denies Petition for Review in Police Drone Footage Case

Best Best & Krieger LLP on

Police Drone Footage Only Exempt From Disclosure - In Some Circumstances The California Supreme Court recently denied the City of Chula Vista’s Petition for Review in Castañares v. Superior Court (Dec. 2023) 98 Cal.App.5th...more

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Three Things to Consider When Sharing Confidential or Proprietary Information with State and Municipal Governments

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP on

Many companies find themselves in the position of voluntarily sharing some of their most sensitive data and other confidential information with state and local governments. For example, this type of information-sharing may...more

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Maine Considers Trade Secret Protection for Cannabis Companies

Seyfarth Shaw LLP on

Maine is on track to launch its first recreational marijuana businesses in June, four years after its residents voted in favor of legalization. A year ago, Maine created an Office of Marijuana Policy (OMP) within its...more

Franczek P.C.

With FOIA, Redacting Student Names Will Not Always Protect Student Privacy

Franczek P.C. on

A recent informal Illinois Attorney General Public Access Counselor decision interpreting the Freedom of Information Act is an important reminder that redacting student names from public records is not always sufficient to...more

Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard,...

On the Cutting Edge of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act: 2019 Legislative Changes and Updates

Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard,... on

As is the case seemingly anytime that the General Assembly is called to session, this year they made some notable changes to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. Several of those changes went into effect last month, and...more

Franczek P.C.

Court Orders Governor’s Office to Turn over FOIA Policy

Franczek P.C. on

A recent Cook County court decision addressed a Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) request to Governor Bruce Rauner’s office, and shed some light on what “final” means for purposes of the “preliminary records” FOIA...more

Harris Beach Murtha PLLC

New CT Freedom of Information Laws to Consider after October 1, 2018

Harris Beach Murtha PLLC on

Effective October 1, two changes were made to the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) of which public agencies should take note. The General Assembly added a new section to General Statutes § 1-206 concerning...more

Franczek P.C.

Records Containing Only Facts Are Not Subject to Section 7(1)(f) Predecisional Exemption

Franczek P.C. on

Recently, an Illinois Court of Appeals issued a decision mandating disclosure of assessment records from the Cook County Assessor’s Office to the Chicago Tribune under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”)....more

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