How open record laws are applied in state legislatures

From Associated Press (excerpts)

Lawmakers in every state have adopted laws requiring most government meetings and records to be open to the public. But in some states, lawmakers have exempted themselves from complying.

The Associated Press sent open-records request to the top lawmakers in all 50 states and most governors, seeking copies of their daily schedules and emails from the government accounts for the week of Feb. 1-7. The AP received more denials than approvals from lawmakers. It did not generally request emails from private accounts because rules and practices on those vary widely from state to state.

Summaries showing how they responded in each state …

HAWAII

Hawaii’s top Democrat and Republican in the House did not supply emails and calendars, saying that the state constitution provides immunity from the request; a statement some dispute. They also cited state laws that provide exemptions for personal files for members of the Legislature and “government records that, by their nature, must be confidential in order for the government to avoid the frustration of a legitimate government function.” 

Senate President Ronald Kouchi’s office also denied the request, citing an appeal before the state Office of Information Practices that would determine what the Legislature is obliged to provide. 

Of the lawmakers, only the state’s lone Republican Senator, Sam Slom, divulged the requested information, handing over printed emails and calendars. 

Gov. David Ige’s office asked for more time to respond to the request, and then provided some of the governor’s emails while withholding others. He provided a calendar that showed only his public events….

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