Access Reports

Our "Access” reports track the General Assembly's compliance with the state's Open Meetings law.

The Open Meetings law requires most state and local agencies, departments, commissions and other public bodies to post electronic and written notices of any meeting at least 48 hours in advance. In addition, the public notices must include the date, time, place and agenda of the meeting. The General Assembly's participation is voluntary. Neither the House nor the Senate is subject to the law.

Our office has issued the annual report since former Secretary of State Jim Langevin first produced Access in 1997. Similar to standard school grading, the document uses the letter grades A, B, C, D and F.

We evaluate two categories of compliance. Letter of the Law measures technical compliance with the state’s Open Meetings law. Spirit of the Law attempts to measure the House and Senate’s intent to comply with the law.

• Access 2008
  
• Access 2007
• Access 2006
• Access 2005
• Access 2004
• Access 2003
• Access 2002
• Access 2001
• Access 2000
• Access 1999