2008 Wisconsin Open Records Seminar
From Sunshine Review
The 2008 Wisconsin Open Records Seminars are a series of trainings on Wisconsin's open records and open meetings laws conducted by Wisconsin Attorney General JB Van Hollen and the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Contents |
[edit] History
The Open records seminars were created by Attorney General JB Van Hollen in 2007 to help the public understand open meetings and open records laws better and to also educate government officials, attorneys, and elected leaders on compliance issues with open meetings and open records laws in a simplified format[1]. Also a segment of the seminars also talks on compliance of the open meetings laws in Wisconsin.
[edit] Schedule
The Seminars are around Wisconsin during September and October in which the seminars are hosted in Oak Creek, Madison, Green Bay, Wausau, and Eau Claire[2].
[edit] Interesting Facts on Wisconsin's Open Records Laws
- Despite the law was in the books since 1982, the law never meant for any provisions over electronic databases and e-mails leading to recent court decisions on what types of electronic information can be considered public records.
- From the process of a citizen who requests open records a public official must do a four step balacing test including whether the information is legal for the public to have to over time and costs.
- A citizen may have to not just the pay fee for the materials like fifteen cents per copy, but some governmental bodies may require citizens to pay a so called labor cost including, a hour of salary plus benefits.
- You do not have to cite statues, nor state your name, nor submit a open records request in writing in the State of Wisconsin.
- Persons in Wisconsin that are incarcerated in prison or committed to a mental institution cannot ask for open records only in circumstances over a child, etc. However, the Freedom of Information Act allows for people incarcerated in a Federal prison to ask for open records.[3].
[edit] External links
2008 Wisconsin Open Records Compliance Outline A comprehensive guide to Wisconsin's Open Records Laws.
