A. Exemptions in the open meetings statute.

The Bagley-Keene and Brown Acts provide that all meetings of state bodies and legislative bodies of local agencies are to be open and public. The only exemptions contained within either Act are those discussed below.

Both Acts contain a broad opening statement of public policy, which provides that the local and state bodies exist to "aid in the conduct of the people's business" and that it is the intent of the law that "their actions be taken openly and their deliberations be conducted openly." Cal. Gov't Code §§ 11120 (Bagley-Keene Act); 54950 (Brown Act). With respect to any claim of exemption that may be advanced by such bodies or agencies, each of the Acts state, "The people of this State do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know." Cal. Gov't Code §§ 11120 (Bagley-Keene Act); 54950 (Brown Act).