Handbooks

Use our Open-Government Resources

FAC’s handbooks provide overviews of California’s primary freedom-of-information laws.

Accessing public records in California

Guide to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act

The Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act is the public meetings law that applies to California state boards, committees, and commissions.
- Government Transparency and Accountability
- Public Meetings
FOIA: Sample Request Letter

A template for submitting your own Freedom of Information Act request.
- Government Transparency and Accountability
- Public Records
California Brown Act Primer

The Ralph M. Brown Act, one of California’s main sunshine laws, is intended to provide public access to meetings of local government agencies.
- Government Transparency and Accountability
- Public Meetings
Police Transparency Handbook

This resource is designed to help you navigate the law to access police use-of-force and officer misconduct records under the California Public Records Act.
- Government Transparency and Accountability
- Public Records