California Municipal Law Blog
category:
Public Records Act
by Derek P. Cole on August 1, 2025
posted in
Administrative Regulations, Public Records Act,
The California Public Records Act (CPRA) guarantees access to the records of state and local governments. The act ensures public officials and employees conduct business transparently. It recognizes that government records belong to — and should always be available to — the people.
But the right to access public records is not unlimited. As a municipal lawyer, I regularly advise my clients on handling public records requests. I often encounter misperceptions about what the CPRA requires.
Here’s a look at the most common misperceptions — and what the act really says.
Fact: Agencies ... Continue Reading
tags:
California Public Records Act, CPRA, Public Records Act,
by Betsy Martyn on December 31, 2024
posted in
Administrative Regulations, Code Enforcement, Employment Law, Public Records Act, Public Utilities, Public Works, Uncategorised,
All bills are effective January 1, 2025 unless otherwise provided.
PUBLIC RECORDS ACT
Voluntary Disclosure of a Police Officer Termination – SB 400: Amends Penal Code 832.7 by adding (b)(13) which provides for voluntary disclosure by a public agency of the reason for termination for cause for the type of incident which must be disclosed.
13) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) or any other law, an agency that formerly employed a peace officer or custodial officer may, without receiving a request for disclosure, disclose to the public the termination for cause ... Continue Reading
tags:
New laws, Public Records Act,
by Betsy Martyn on January 21, 2020
posted in
Employment Law, Legislative Updates, Public Records Act, Public Utilities, Water,
Introduction
The majority of the bills from 2019 addressed wildfires, affordable housing and emergency/homeless shelters. The housing bills from last year will be addressed in a separate post. A separate post on new bills affecting law enforcement will also be added.
... Continue Reading
tags:
data collection, gender diversity, Independent Contractors, New laws, planning, public works, Sexual Harassment Training, surplus property, urban water retailers, wages, zoning,
by Steven G. Pacifico on October 25, 2018
posted in
Law Enforcement, Public Records Act,
The Legislature has responded to public pressure calling for increased transparency into local policing by passing two new laws that mandate disclosure of records related to officer misconduct and use of force incidents. With Governor Brown’s signature, SB1421 and AB 748 will change how police departments respond to requests for certain personnel records and recordings of use of force incidents that were previously exempt from disclosure.
... Continue Reading
tags:
AB 748, Bodycam, Law Enforcement, Officer-involved shootings, Police, Public Records, SB 1421,
by Derek P. Cole on March 2, 2017
posted in
Public Records Act, Recent Court Decisions,
The California Supreme Court has issued its long-awaited decision on whether public employee emails or text messages, sent and stored on the employees’ personal accounts, are public records. A unanimous Court held that such emails and text messages are disclosable records under the California Public Records Act. (City of San Jose v. Superior Court, decided March 2, 2017)
... Continue Reading
tags:
California Public Records Act, California Supreme Court, Private Emails, Text Messages,
