Legislation

Legislation was introduced to eliminate the exemption of the RI State Board of Elections from the rule-making provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA). Currently, the Board can adopt regulations affecting the voting process without having to hold a public notice or hearing process.

The Access to Public Records Act is essential to promoting open government and an informed citizenry. Despite updates to the law in 2012, an audit by the ACLU and other groups found the law’s enforcement policies insufficient to ensure compliance from dozens of agencies.

In February 2016, the ACLU published a report called “Hidden Agenda” in which we took a close look at compliance of agencies with the Open Meetings Act requirement to publicly post their agendas at least 48 hours in advance of the date of their meetings.

APRA is a critical law, essential to promoting open government and an informed citizenry. Despite updates to the law in 2012, an audit by the ACLU and other groups found the law’s enforcement policies insufficient to ensure compliance from dozens of agencies.

This legislation would make public any records generated or obtained by the Rhode Island state police or Attorney General in their investigation of the 38 Studios scandal.

Currently, the state Board of Elections is virtually the only major state agency exempt from the Administrative Procedures Act, which requires state agencies to adopt rules and regulations through an open, public process.

Currently, the state Board of Elections is virtually the only major state agency exempt from the Administrative Procedures Act, which requires state agencies to adopt rules and regulations through an open, public process.

The General Assembly considered, but did not act on, revisions to the state's law governing public records. The Access to Public Records Act dictates when public entities can keep documents from public view, and the rights of the public to view or obtain other documents.

While most state agencies are required by a state law known as the Administrative Procedures Act to adopt rules and regulations through a public process, the Board of Elections is inexplicably exempt from the law.