OMA /IPRA (NM Sunshine Laws)
Open Meetings Act
The Open Meetings
Act is a state law, which provides the statutory guidelines. The
Attorney General has the constitutional authority to enforce the act and to ensure
that those public meetings covered by the Act are in compliance with state law.
In order to assist the public and those that are covered by this act we have a full
copy of our compliance guide online for you to review by section of interest or
to print and review at your convenience.
Our Open
Meetings Act compliance guide explains what public meetings are covered
by the act, the meeting's public notice requirements, and proper issuance of agendas,
meeting minutes, and closed meetings. Other items are in the guide such as remedies,
penalties, and exceptions to the Act. Complaints about possible violations, or questions
involving clarification of the Act should be referred to the Office of the Attorney
General's Civil Division. The Division enforces the Act by investigating and responding
to written complaints from citizens. They can be reached at (505) 827-6070.
Inspection of Public Record Act
The
Inspection of Public Records Act is a New Mexico state law that provides
an open window for the public and media to access information deemed of import to
the public interest. This is one of the basic rights of our democratic society,
Open Government. The law requires open access to almost all public records in state
and local government with few exceptions. Under the Act the public citizen or group
has the right to take legal action if they are denied access to public records and
awards attorney fee's if they are proven right. This provides a mechanism to empower
the public and it saves limited public resources.
The Attorney General is provided authority through the state constitution to enforce
this act, as are the local District Attorneys. As a public service we have made
available our Compliance Guide in its entirety and it can be reviewed by section
online or printed for full review. Topics covered by this Act include the description
of which records are covered, the assignment of a custodian of record, how confidential
materials are addressed, as well as the impact of other laws. Also found here are
the method to request records, the procedure of inspection, and the procedure for
denied requests. While the enforcement of the act is described here if you have
any questions you may contact the Civil Division of the Office of the Attorney General
for further information at (505) 827-6070.
NMAGO Public Records
Each state agency and local governmental entities have designated a records custodian to whom requests to inspect records should be addressed.
Instructions for requesting to inspect records from this office.