Q.What is a "public record"? What constitutes a
"meeting" of a public agency?
Iowa law does not restrict the concept of a "public record" by
focusing on the content, formal approval or format of a document.
Rather, a record is defined in broad terms of documents and
information in government's possession. The concept of a public
record covers "all records, document, tape, orother information
stored or preserved in any medium" -- including on a computer --
"of or belonging to" a government agency. In general terms,
Chapter 22 provides access to information held by government.
A government agency is considered to be "meeting" when a majority of its members are talking about or taking action upon "any matter within the scope of the governmental body's policy-making duties." That, too, is a broad definition, consistent with the law's emphasis on openness.
Q.Does aperson have a right to speak at a meeting of
a government agency?
No. School boards, city councils, etc., routinely invite comments
and discussion from the general public, but they can say "No"
to requests to talk and can place the time limits on comments.
Q.Can a person get public information by phone or by
fax?
Law does not provide for such access, but governmental agencies
often provide it to be helpful.
Q.When can a person see the minutes of a public
meeting?
As soon as the minutes are prepared. A public agency cannot
deny access to the minutes because they have not been received
or approved by agency members.
Q.What does it cost to get a copy of a public record?
A public agency may charge "a reasonable fee" for providing a
copy of a record. Costs vary. Sometimes there is no charge at
all. Two rules of thumb: (1) If the charge is high enough to
discourage you from getting the record,the charge probably is
not "reasonable." (2) The Iowa Supreme Court charges 50 cents
a page for copies of its opinions.
Q.How can a person sue a public agency for violation
of these laws?
Some points to bear in mind: