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Explainers

First Amendment and Government Transparency Explainers

July 3, 2024
Handbooks

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
September 8, 2024
Handbooks

California Public Records Act Primer

"A popular government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it is but a prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy." ―James Madison
- Government Transparency and Accountability
July 8, 2024
Handbooks

Police Transparency Handbook

For decades, California was one of the most secretive states when it came to internal law enforcement records, with officers having more privacy protections than other government employees. This veil of secrecy began to lift starting in 2019, after California passed landmark legislation that made certain use-of-force and officer misconduct records accessible under the […]
- Government Transparency and Accountability
September 6, 2024
Posts

Vote YES on Prop 42 if you value open-government. Vote no if you prefer secrecy.

Prop 42, on the ballot for California's June 4 election, will amend the Constitution to assure that local governments are legally bound to observe open- government requirements. If you prefer transparency to secrecy in your city government, local school board or county government, then the choice is clear: You should vote for Prop 42. […]
- Government Transparency and Accountability
May 13, 2014
Asked and Answered

Brown Act

When does a non-profit fall under the Brown Act?

[…] the creation of the entity, even if it did not actually create it itself. Bryan Cave LLP is general counsel for the First Amendment Coalition and responds to FAC hotline inquiries. In responding to these inquiries, we can give general information regarding open government and speech issues but cannot provide specific legal advice or representation.

July 31, 2013
Asked and Answered

CPRA

Does the CPRA cover private entities that do work for government?

[…] from these departments are often excluded from public view due to the exemption.) Bryan Cave LLP is general counsel for the First Amendment Coalition and responds to FAC hotline inquiries. In responding to these inquiries, we can give general information regarding open government and speech issues but cannot provide specific legal advice or representation.

March 6, 2014
Asked and Answered

Brown Act First Amendment

Taping of public charter school meetings curtailed by corporate owners

[…] and asked that this item be placed on the next agenda and what law was the CEO referring to that he can enact these restrictions along with the public entities that does this. Our local public non charter school district records, televises and plays their meetings on local TV multiple times in the month. We need […]

October 13, 2014
Asked and Answered

Brown Act

Governing Boards with Public Funds

[…] that the mere receipt of public funds by a co-op or other typically private entity, without more, does not subject the entity to the Brown Act. California Government Code section 54952(c) sets forth two sets of circumstances under which such an organization might be subject to the Brown Act's open meetings requirements: First, a […]

June 14, 2009
Asked and Answered

CPRA

The CPRA and privately owned utilities companies

[…] a sample request letter, at the First Amendment Coalition website at http://firstamendmentcoalition.org/category/resources/access-to-records/. Holme Roberts & Owen LLP is general counsel for the First Amendment Coalition and responds to FAC hotline inquiries. In responding to the inquiries, we can give general information regarding open government and speech issues but cannot provide specific legal advice or representation.

August 7, 2011