HR 11656 · 94th Congress · Government Operations and Politics

Government in the Sunshine Act

Introduced 1976-02-03· Sponsored by Rep. Abzug, Bella S. [D-NY-20]· House

Bill Progress

Introduced
Committee
House Vote
4
Senate
5
Enacted
Latest: Measure laid on table in House, S. 5 passed in lieu.(1976-07-28)

Recorded Votes

PassedHouse · 1976-07-28
Yea 390Nay 5
PassedHouse · 1976-07-28
Yea 390Nay 5

Plain Language Summary

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] Government in the Sunshine Act - Declares that it is the policy of Congress that the public is entitled to the fullest practicable information regarding the decision-making process of the Federal Government and that providing such information is the purpose of this Act. Requires that Federal agency proceedings be open to the public unless in the agency's opinion an open meeting would likely disclose information that would be in violation of an individual's rights, would hamper enforcement of the law, or would lead to instability of a financial institution. Requires transcripts or electronic recordings to be prepared of any agency meeting closed to the public. States that such transcripts or recordings with the detrimental information deleted must be made available to the public. Directs that open meetings be recorded in written minutes. Requires that all agency meetings be announced at least one week before such meeting; such announcement must state the time, place, subject matter of such meeting and whether it will be open to the public. Gives jurisdiction to enforce this Act to the United States district courts and authorizes any person to bring a suit to enforce this Act. Sets p…

Summarized by Claude AI · Non-partisan · For informational purposes only

Cosponsors (20)

19 Democrats1 Independent