New Hampshire enhances transparency with Right to Know Law

In New Hampshire, the Right to Know Law (RSA 91-A) assures that government actions are open to the public. This law applies to all levels of government, from state agencies to local boards. It mandates public access to meetings and documents, helping promote good governance. For public meetings, boards must give at least 24 hours' notice, except on Sundays and holidays. Notice should be posted in two public places, such as the town hall and a municipal website. All meetings must be open to the public, and attendees can record them. Minutes of the meetings must be available within five business days to show what was discussed and decided. Some gatherings are not considered public meetings. For example, email exchanges and texts about government business are public records that must be disclosed. Boards can allow remote participation in meetings but require a quorum to be physically present. Nonpublic sessions can occur for specific reasons defined by the law. To enter a nonpublic session, boards must make a motion during a public meeting, and a roll-call vote should be taken. Minutes from nonpublic meetings must be available within 72 hours unless sealed by a two-thirds majority due to special concerns. Citizens have the right to inspect and copy most government records within five business days. If a request is denied, the public body must explain why. Some records may be exempt from disclosure if specified by the law. A new Right-to-Know ombudsman has been established to help settle disputes about public records and meetings more efficiently. This aims to reduce the need for costly court cases. Transparency is essential for building trust in government, especially in times of public skepticism. The Right to Know Law reinforces that the government works best when actions are visible to the public.