The California Public Records Act (CPRA) is a state law that guarantees the public access to records held by government agencies in California. This act ensures transparency and accountability in government by allowing members of the public to request and obtain copies of government records.

The CPRA applies to all state and local government agencies in California, including departments, boards, commissions, and other public entities. This means that any records created or maintained by these agencies are subject to the provisions of the CPRA.

Under the CPRA, members of the public have the right to request access to any record that is not exempt from disclosure. This includes records related to the operations, policies, and decisions of government agencies. Some examples of records that are not exempt from disclosure under the CPRA include:

-Correspondence and emails

-Contracts and other agreements

-Budgets and financial records

-Reports and studies

-Video and surveillance footage

When a member of the public makes a request for records under the CPRA, the government agency has 10 days to respond. If the agency denies the request, it must provide a written explanation for the denial. The agency may also charge a fee for copies of the records, but the fee must be reasonable and not exceed the actual cost of reproducing the records.

In addition to providing access to records, the CPRA also requires government agencies to make certain records available for inspection and copying during regular business hours. These records must be made available in a manner that is convenient to the public. If a government agency wrongfully withholds public records a lawsuit can be filed to compel the record production. A successful lawsuit may result in the government agency being required to pay for all attorneys fees and costs.

The CPRA is an important tool for promoting transparency and accountability in government. By allowing members of the public to access government records, the CPRA helps ensure that government agencies are operating in an open and transparent manner. The CPRA is a great tool for obtaining records from government agencies without having to go through the formal discovery process.