OOG Advisories and Attorney General Opinions

 

Office of Open Government Advisories

Marsy's Law and Public Records (May 13, 2021) addresses the applicability of the public records law in light of Marsy's Law, the constitutional amendment to Article I, section 9m, of the Wisconsin Constitution, which created additional rights and protections for crime victims in Wisconsin.

Sunshine Week Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Open Meetings advisory (March 15, 2021) encourages governmental bodies to make open meetings accessible remotely until the pandemic is over and, following the pandemic, to continue using practices developed during the pandemic that increase transparency.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Open Meetings advisory (March 20, 2020) addresses technological and practical issues that governmental bodies should consider in advance of meetings.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Open Meetings advisory (March 17, 2020) addresses the application of the open meetings law during the public health situation regarding COVID-19.

Fee advisory addresses permissible fee practices under the public records law.

School safety grant application advisory addresses the release of school safety grant application materials under the public records law.

 

Attorney General Opinions and Memoranda

OAG-02-18 (Feb. 23, 2018)[PDF] This formal opinion addresses four issues regarding the administration of Wis. Stat. § 19.356(2)(a)(1) and (9), provisions of the Wisconsin Public Records Law pertaining to notice.

OAG-07-14 (Oct. 15, 2014)[PDF] This formal opinion provides guidance on the application of Wis. Stat. § 19.356(9), which requires notice to public officials before an authority permits access to certain records.

OAG-05-14 (Oct. 15, 2014)[PDF] This formal opinion discusses applicability of Wisconsin's open meetings law to the activities of the election canvassing board.

Memorandum (Jan. 14, 2013)[PDF] The Wisconsin Supreme Court decision in Juneau County Star-Times v. Juneau County is explained in this informational memorandum.

Memorandum (Apr. 27, 2012)[PDF] This memorandum addresses how 2011 Wisconsin Act 283 relates to the Wisconsin Public Records Law.

Memorandum (July 28, 2010)[PDF] The practical impact of the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision in Schill v. Wisconsin Rapids School District on public records custodians and public records requesters is discussed.

I-06-09 (Dec. 23, 2009)[PDF] This informal opinion discusses how the content of a social website maintained by a government official and used to discuss government business likely is a public record.

OAG 7-09 (Nov. 16, 2009)[PDF] This formal opinion answers questions about Wis. Stat. § 12.13(5) prohibition against disclosure of certain records and investigative information related to possible violations of Wisconsin elections, lobbying, and ethics laws.

I-02-09 (Mar. 19, 2009)[PDF] This informal opinion provides guidance for analyzing whether an entity constitutes a “quasi-governmental corporation” that is an “authority” subject to the Wisconsin Public Records Law.

I-02-08 (Apr. 29, 2008)[PDF] The intersection of the Wisconsin Public Records Law with the federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act is discussed in this informal opinion.

I-03-07 (Sept. 27, 2007)[PDF] This informal opinion discusses the intersection of federal medical records privacy rules and Wisconsin law regarding access to records.

 

All formal Attorney General opinions may be found in the opinion archive.

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