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FAC Supports SB 776 to Improve Police Transparency in California

[…] and the chance for prevailing parties in open-records lawsuits to seek higher damages, at an amount equal to twice the requester's reasonable court costs and attorneys' fees. The bill is being heard Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 2:00 p.m. by the Assembly Public Safety Committee. Read FAC's July 26, 2020, letter in support of SB 776.
- Government Transparency and Accountability
- Public Records
August 5, 2020
Asked and Answered

Brown Act

Does Brown Act allow School District, City to negotiate millions in fees in closed session?

[…] place the item on a future agenda so members of the public can meaningfully participate in the decision-making process). Gov't Code § 54960.1(a). If the Board refuses to cure and correct its action, you could bring a lawsuit to nullify the vote, and if successful, you may be entitled to attorneys’ fees. The details of this […]

November 25, 2015
Asked and Answered

CPRA

University fails to make good faith effort to respond to records request

[…] the hope of showing that the delay was unreasonable and that litigation was necessary to force the disclosure. As a practical matter, you might consider sending a letter describing the delay and noting the requirement in Gov't Code § 6253(c) that the school tell you when the records will be made available. Having them […]

February 3, 2011
Asked and Answered

Brown Act

Decision Reached By County Supervisors Without A Public Meeting

[…] 3d 658 (1981). If you believe that the Board of Supervisors communicated to discuss and take a collective concurrence on the petition, then your instinct may be correct in that there could be a possible violation of the Brown Act. However, this is a fact specific inquiry. Bryan Cave LLP is general counsel for […]

February 21, 2018
Posts

Press Rights

FAC Supports SB 1000 to Ensure Public Access to Law Enforcement Radio Transmissions

[…] and co-sponsored by the California News Publishers Association and the California Broadcasters Association, would require all law enforcement agencies to restore or preserve public access after agencies began encrypting transmissions in response to a memo from the California Department of Justice. Read the bill's fact sheet. Read our coalition's recent letter in support of SB 1000.
- Press Freedom
August 3, 2022
Asked and Answered

CPRA

Local Agencies’ Request for Qualifications Bids

[…] records. Requests can be oral or in writing. However, if you expect resistance to your request, you should put your request in writing. A sample PRA request letter is found on CFAC's website at the following link: https://firstamendmentcoalition.org/cpra-primer/sample-cpra-request-letter/. The PRA requires agencies to provide you with the documents requested, or notify you that your […]

June 14, 2009
Asked and Answered

CPRA

Public Officials’ Personal Email

[…] the written request is denied, the agency is obligated to back its denial by citing an exemption in the PRA or other state or federal law allowing it to withhold the records you seek. (Gov't code § 6255). A sample PRA request letter can be found on the CFAC website at the following link: https://firstamendmentcoalition.org/cpra-primer/sample-cpra-request-letter/

June 14, 2009
Asked and Answered

Brown Act

How do we enforce the Brown Act?

[…] the board declared null and void, one must first, in a timely manner, sometimes within 30 days of the violation, demand in writing that the agency " cure and correct" the violations of law. A party who prevails in a Brown Act lawsuit may be entitled to an award of attorneys' fees and costs. […]

December 22, 2011
Asked and Answered

CPRA

Animal shelter won’t disclose contact info on local cat trapper

[…] "relating to the conduct of the public's business" is interpreted broadly, and only purely personal information is exempt, i.e., the shopping list phoned from home, or the letter to a public officer from a friend which is totally void of reference to governmental activities. See Assembly Comm. on Statewide Information Policy, Appendix 1 to […]

June 15, 2016
Asked and Answered

Social Media

Facebook comments deleted from Senator’s page

[…] an office newsletter that he used to communicate with his constituents, and that newsletter published letters to the editor, he would not be obliged to publish every letter he received. As the creator of the newsletter he would have editorial control over what to publish -- his selection of what to publish would essentially […]

May 20, 2013