What is the Sunshine Law?
The Sunshine Law, also known as the Open Meetings Law, is a set of regulations that require certain government meetings and records to be open and accessible to the public. The primary purpose of these laws is to promote transparency and accountability in government actions.
Key Principles of the Sunshine Law
- Open Meetings: Government meetings must be open to the public, except for specific exemptions.
- Public Records: Government documents and records must be accessible to the public, with few exceptions.
- Notice: Government entities must provide reasonable notice of meetings to the public.
- Enforcement: Violations of the Sunshine Law can result in legal penalties.
Examples of the Sunshine Law
One example of the Sunshine Law in action is when a city council holds a public meeting to discuss a proposed development project. The meeting must be open to the public, and all documents related to the project must be made available for inspection.
Case Studies
In 2018, the Florida Commission on Ethics found that a county commissioner violated the Sunshine Law by discussing public business outside of a properly noticed meeting. The commissioner was fined $500 for the violation.
Statistics on Sunshine Law Compliance
According to a study conducted by the National Freedom of Information Coalition, 70% of government entities complied with Sunshine Law requirements in 2019. However, enforcement of the laws varied widely among states.
