13.9: Open Meetings

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Another federal law, the Government in the Sunshine Act, provides for open meetings of any federal executive branch commission, committee or other “collegial” body. Among the agencies covered are the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission. Agencies are expected to announce scheduled meetings one week in advance and to publish meeting agendas so that interested persons may attend. All states have their own versions of open meetings laws, as well. Again, provisions of the 2001 USA Patriot Act limited aspects of the Government in the Sunshine Act to restrict access to some government meetings.