The California Public Records Act (PRA)

California apricots label, Lusk’s Bear Brand, Lehmann Printing and Lithographing Co. — California Historical Society

The California Public Records Act (“PRA” in Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code) was enacted to ensure that access to information concerning the conduct of the people’s business as a fundamental and necessary right of Californian. See, Sec. 6250 of the California Government Code.

The California PRA generally provides public access to state and local government records. Access to information about the conduct of the public’s business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in the state. ™

• Access permits public to monitor governmental activities.
• ™Agencies cannot deny access to disclosable records based on requester’s intended usage.

PRA prohibits state or local agency from selling, exchanging, furnishing, or otherwise providing a public record subject to disclosure to a private entity in a manner that prevents a state or local agency from providing the record directly. However, it does not require agencies to use the State Printer to print public records or prevent the destruction of records pursuant to law. See, Sec. 6270 Cal. Gov. Code.

Relationship with other laws:

• The California PRA does not limit the ability of elected members or officers to access public records permitted by…