A&A: Can a public agency demand research fees on a public records request?
Q: I asked a registrar of voters for the amount billed to a district for election costs between 2006-2008. They asked for $800 in research fees. I sent them a response citing the North County Parents...
View ArticleA&A:City says building plans can be viewed but not copied
Q: The city attorney is citing the Health and Safety Code Section 19851 to support the city’s denial of copying building plans submitted to the city and on the planning commission agenda and council...
View ArticleA&A: Who can request documents under the CPRA?
Q: Does the California Public Records Act require residency in California to access documents or are they available to visitors from out of state? Does the CPRA provide a request process? If so, is...
View ArticleA&A: Are city council subcommittees Brown Act-exempt?
Q: I am trying to get some skeleton data on a new crop of Brown Act-exempt City Council subcommittees. I requested the subcommittees’ mission statements, which I assumed were set out prior to...
View ArticleA&A:Does the CPRA allow access to mug shots?
Q: Reporters in our news organization deal with several police departments who routinely deny requests for suspect mug shots. Most recently, a mug shot of a driver in a fatal hit and run case was...
View ArticleA&A: Can CSU lobby for laws that boost their budget?
Q: I am working on an article concerning letters CSU sent out that seem to advocate Proposition 30, the California tax initiative that will help reduce cuts to the school system. I had a few questions...
View ArticleA&A: What does Brown Act say about board members’ having secret affair?
Q: In a board of five members, two are having a sexual affair with each other. Both have spouses and children, yet “secret” affair is so obvious that the the story has been published on a local news...
View ArticleA&A: Does the CPRA allow use of iPhone to photograph public records?
Q: The County Recorders Office prohibits the use of hand scanners or digital cameras in its Public Documents room and requires researchers to purchase document copies from them. Is this restriction...
View ArticleA&A: Fee to place political campaign signs
Q: In my community, any person, business, campaign organization, or other entity who proposes to post or display more than five off-site event signs shall obtain a permit, pay a fee and/or deposit to...
View ArticleA&A: Is a recorded message on a voicemail considered private?
Q: Is a recorded message on a voicemail considered private or can it be recorded for legal purposes? A: It is doubtful that the recording of a message from someone who voluntarily leaves a message on a...
View ArticleA&A: Non-compliance of 10-day rule regarding CPRA
Q: I have requested email addresses of our County Superior Court officials. The Court Operations Manager has not complied and the 10-day limit has expired. What recourse do I have in forcing disclosure...
View ArticleA&A: When can a public Board claim attorney-client privilege?
Q: Our municipal board, of which I am a member, recently convened a closed session meeting that was not listed as an item on the published agenda. The purpose of the meeting, which included a city...
View ArticleA&A: CPRA request for state agency’s contracts granted, but price-tag redacted
Q: I’m a journalist researching the CA Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board’s relationship with a particular company that supplies one type of specialized medical insurance for the state. I recently...
View ArticleA&A: Does Brown Act allow public meeting recordings to be destroyed?
Q: We are a small community of citizens trying to find our way dealing with a public board that we believe gave us no equal consideration. We are seeking assistance in requesting copies of e-mails from...
View ArticleA&A: Rules for noticing city council study session
Q: City Council posted a notice for a Special Meeting (Study Session). Then during the “meeting” it was referred to as a workshop and there was no record of the meeting kept. Study sessions have audios...
View ArticleA&A: Accessing reports on police officer involved shooting
Q: For the last few weeks, I’ve been investigating an officer-involved shooting: Needless to say, there are ton of issues involved here, but I keep running into walls finding documents because of the...
View ArticleA&A: Can criminal background checks on county candidates be kept confidential?
Q: The County Board of Supervisors announced it will conduct a criminal and financial background check on the individual it selects to fill an open elected position for the clerk-recorder/registrar of...
View ArticleA&A: Redevelopment Agency becomes “private corporation” not covered by Brown...
Q: Two years, ago, our city manager created a private, non-profit corporation in an effort to replace the city’s soon-to-be defunct redevelopment agency. The CEO is an Asst. City Manager and the Board...
View ArticleA&A: When is a non-profit board subject to the Brown Act?
Q: I am Chief of Staff at a hospital that is part of a nationwide health care service, and an ex officio member of the hospital Board. Hospital executives have twice dismissed me from the Board room...
View ArticleA&A: Does the CPRA cover CA Energy Commission applicants?
Q: Tricky CPRA question regarding photos taken during a study undertaken by an an applicant for a California Energy Commission license. The company submitted a report, but CEC staff had many questions,...
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