On Tuesday, March 28, the National Governors Association hosted its monthly briefing for Governors’ legal counsel. The call discussed how Governor’s offices manage requests for public records and other considerations related to state Freedom of Information Acts (FOIA).
Receiving, managing, and responding to requests for government or public records is a core function of a Governor’s legal office. Each state has laws governing public access to government records, and each Governor’s office has a framework for responding to requests and/or coordinating with state agencies. Key components of these laws include what constitutes a public record, who is covered, who can request, time constraints, cost, and exemptions.
Legal counsel on the call emphasized the importance of establishing an internal process, training and setting expectations with staff, and building a culture of transparency with the media and the public.
NGA holds monthly briefings for Governors’ legal counsel. Please reach out to Lauren Dedon (Ldedon@nga.org) for additional information.
