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.
2011 Update to NM Sunshine Law
During the regular 2011 session, the New Mexico Legislature passed important
changes to the Inspection of Public Records Act (“IPRA”), NMSA 1978, §§
14-2-1 to -12 (as amended through 2011), many of which go into effect on June 17,
2011. Some amendments will go into effect on July 1, 2011.
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.