New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act
From Sunshine Review
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The Inspection of Public Record Act is a series of laws designed to guarantee that the public has access to public records of governmental bodies in New Mexico.
The Open Meetings Act legislates the methods by which public meetings are conducted.
New Mexico's transparency report card
A 2008 study, BGA - Alper Integrity Index, conducted by the Better Government Association and sponsored by Alper Services, ranked New Mexico #42 in the nation with an overall percentage of 43.30%. [1]
A 2007 study, Graded state responsiveness to FOI requests, conducted by BGA and the NFOIC, gave New Mexico 47 points out of a possible 100, a letter grade of "F", and a ranking of 27 out of the 50 states.[2]
A 2002 study, Freedom of Information in the USA, conducted by IRE and BGA, ranked New Mexico's law as the 23rd best in the country, giving it a letter grade of "C-".[3]
Public Records
"Recognizing that a representative government is dependent upon an informed electorate, the intent of the legislature in enacting the Inspection of Public Records Act (14-2-4 NMSA 1978) is to ensure, and it is declared to be the public policy of this state, that all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of public officers and employees. It is the further intent of the legislature, and it is declared to be the public policy of this state, that to provide persons with such information is an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of public officers and employees." [4]
Open Meetings
"In recognition of the fact that a representative government is dependent upon an informed electorate, it is declared to be public policy of this state that all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those officers and employees who represent them. The formation of public policy or the conduct of business by vote shall not be conducted in closed meeting. All meetings of any public body except the legislature and the courts shall be public meetings". [5]
Who May Request New Mexico Records?
Anyone may request public documents in New Mexico. "Every person has a right to inspect public records of this state". [6]
For requester residency requirements in other states, see the list of who can make public record requests by state.
See Also
- New Mexico FOIA procedures
- New Mexico Transparency Advocates
- New Mexico Foundation for Open Government
- New Mexico Transparency Legislation
External Links
- New Mexico statutes see chapter 14 for public records and chapter 10 for open meetings
- Attorney General Guide to OMA and IPRA
- Open Government Guide to New Mexico
- New Mexico on WikiFOIA
References
- ↑ Integrity Index available for download here
- ↑ Graded state responsiveness to FOI requests, 2007
- ↑ Freedom of Information in the USA, 2002
- ↑ New Mexico Statutes section 14-2-5
- ↑ New Mexico Statutes section 10-15-1
- ↑ New Mexico Code, 14-2-1
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