Title: Wyoming Public Records Request — Open Public Records Act: A Comprehensive Overview Introduction: Wyoming Public Records Request, operating within the framework of the Open Public Records Act (OPERA), is a vital tool that ensures transparency, accountability, and open governance in the state of Wyoming. This descriptive article will delve into the specifics of the Wyoming Public Records Request system, outlining its purpose, key components, and different types of requests individuals can make to access public information. 1. Overview of the Open Public Records Act (OPERA): The Open Public Records Act, enacted in Wyoming, aims to ensure citizens' rights to access public records held by state and local governmental bodies. OPERA establishes the process for requesting and obtaining public records, promoting governmental transparency and enhancing public participation in governance. 2. Purpose and Importance of Public Records Request: — Promoting Transparency: The Wyoming Public Records Request allows residents to access government-held records, ensuring transparency and accountability in governmental operations and decision-making processes. — Safeguarding Democracy: By providing citizens with access to public records, the Act empowers them to monitor governmental activities, facilitating a more informed and engaged citizenry. — Ensuring Accountability: Public records enable citizens, journalists, researchers, and organizations to hold public officials accountable and maintain integrity in the public sector. 3. Types of Wyoming Public Records Request: While the specific types of public records requests may vary, the following examples demonstrate the broad range of information that can be accessed: — Administrative Records: Requests for documents related to government operations, policies, procedures, and regulations. — Financial Records: Requests for budget documents, expenditure reports, audits, and fiscal information. — Contracts and Agreements: Requests for records related to procurement contracts, partnership agreements, and vendor information. — Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Requests for formal minutes, agendas, and supporting documents of public meetings held by government bodies. — Criminal Records and Court Documents: Requests for criminal records, court proceedings, arrest records, and case files. — Property Records: Requests for property ownership records, real estate transactions, and property valuations. — Vital Records: Requests for birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees. 4. Request Process and Exceptions: — Filing a Request: Individuals must submit a written public records request, specifying the desired records and providing necessary details to locate them. — Response Time: The Wyoming Open Public Records Act outlines a reasonable time frame within which agencies must respond and provide access to requested records, usually within a few business days. — Exceptions and Exemptions: Certain records may be exempt from disclosure, such as records classified as confidential due to sensitive information, ongoing investigations, or privacy concerns. Conclusion: The Wyoming Public Records Request system, guided by the Open Public Records Act, plays a crucial role in upholding transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governmental affairs. By providing access to various types of public records, this process strengthens democracy, facilitates informed decision-making, and enhances trust between the government and its constituents.
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Wyoming Sunshine Law The Wyoming Sunshine Lawis a series of laws designed to guarantee that the public has access to public records of government bodies at all levels.
Right to record government officials in public The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, which includes Wyoming, has held that ?there is a First Amendment right to film the police performing their duties in public.? Irizarry v.
Wyoming's criminal records are available for public consumption thanks to the Wyoming Public Records Act.
From the media, and general records requests: Paralegal, Office of General Counsel at publicrecords@uwyo.edu or call (307) 766-4997. 2. Requests for student directory information are subject to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
The Public Records Act defines "public records" as "the original and copies of any paper, correspondence, form, book, photograph, photostat, film, microfilm, sound recording, map drawing or other document, regardless of physical form or characteristics that have been made by the state of Wyoming and any counties, ...
(a) All public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times, during business hours of the state entity or political subdivision, except as provided in this act or as otherwise provided by law, but the official custodian of any public records may make rules and regulations with reference to the ...
The Wyoming Sunshine Lawis a series of laws designed to guarantee that the public has access to public records of government bodies at all levels. The definition of records includes all documents, no matter their physical form, that have been created or received by government agencies in the course of public business.
Making a Public Records Request: Public records requests may be made by anyone. Access to public records is governed by Wyoming Statute 16-4-204.