NFOIC – Page 169 – National Freedom of Information Coalition

Maryland citizens to gain peek at police discipline, but not full view

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The process by which police officers are disciplined in Maryland has long been shrouded in secrecy. But bills passed by the legislature this year should allow citizens more of a peek behind the curtain.

Civilians will be included in the training process for officers, and internal disciplinary hearings will be made public. Residents could get a seat at the table to decide the outcome of those hearings.

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Colorado lawmakers OK restrictions on medical pot advertising despite First Amendment concerns

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First Amendment concerns didn’t prevent a panel of state lawmakers from endorsing a prohibition against medical marijuana advertising that is likely to reach youths under 18.

The House Finance Committee voted 9-2 in favor of HB 16-1363, despite some opinions that it’s an unconstitutional violation of commercial free speech.

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NJFOG hosts April 26 discussion on state’s open public records, meetings laws

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Want to learn more about how to make a proper OPRA request and what records you can access? Want to ensure your town better complies with public meeting rules?

Join the New Jersey Foundation for Open Government at the Cranford Community Center the evening of April 26th for a discussion of the state’s open public records and meetings laws (OPRA and OPMA). This event is being provided at no cost to attendees thanks to our sponsor, the Union County Watchdog Association (UCWA).

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Editorial: Supreme privacy in Rhode Island

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A healthy system of self-government — something Rhode Island, unfortunately, lacks — depends on public access to information about the activities of those who hold power in the people’s name.

This is something the public must insist on, because when politicians get to decide whether privacy or disclosure should take precedence, it is a safe bet the politicians will come down against the public.

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Bill would make National Security Council subject to FOIA again

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Legislation introduced this week in the House would allow the public to request National Security Council records under the Freedom of Information Act, restoring the status quo that existed until a court ruling two decades ago effectively put the council beyond the reach of the federal government's pre-eminent transparency law.

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North Carolina moves toward regulating police body cameras

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Police-worn body cameras would be regulated for the first time in North Carolina under legislation that will be considered this year.

A legislative committee on Thursday approved a draft bill that would not require law enforcement agencies to use the cameras, but would leave it up to each department in consultation with city or county officials.

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Editorial: Open meetings, secret meetings in Alabama

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Each exception made to Alabama’s open-meetings laws leaves the door open for another. The best option are open-meetings laws that ensure public bodies operate fully in the open.

If Sen. Gerald Dial’s proposed amendment this spring becomes law, Alabama’s universities and colleges would be able to discuss hiring top-level positions without the public’s knowledge because trustee boards could meet in secret.

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Following the Money 2016: Report ranks all 50 states on government spending transparency

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Government spending transparency is improving, but many states still lag far behind, according to “Following the Money 2016: How the 50 States Rate in Providing Online Access to Government Spending Data,” the sixth annual report of its kind by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund.

Some states have improved their spending transparency web portals significantly, earning perfect scores in this year’s report, while others are still barely achieving the minimum standards.

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Denver asks law firm to represent it in open records investigation

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Denver is lawyering up in response to the district attorney’s review of potential criminal open records violations.

As part of a special counsel contract that was already in place, the city has asked Davis, Graham and Stubbs LLP to represent the city attorney’s office in the district attorney’s review of possible open records violations.

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Editorial: Show us whose fingerprints are all over Hawaii bills

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We’re never short of people and groups seeking to shape the work of each Hawaii legislative session to their own benefit.

Our state is no different than any other in that regard. But what continues to set Hawaii apart is its lack of solid laws to regulate that lobbying. This leaves our legislative process vulnerable to corruption, particularly in a state government controlled entirely by one political party.

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Author: NFOIC

Posts by NFOIC

Maryland citizens to gain peek at police discipline, but not full view

Colorado lawmakers OK restrictions on medical pot advertising despite First Amendment concerns

NJFOG hosts April 26 discussion on state’s open public records, meetings laws

Editorial: Supreme privacy in Rhode Island

Bill would make National Security Council subject to FOIA again

North Carolina moves toward regulating police body cameras

Editorial: Open meetings, secret meetings in Alabama

Following the Money 2016: Report ranks all 50 states on government spending transparency

Denver asks law firm to represent it in open records investigation

Editorial: Show us whose fingerprints are all over Hawaii bills