1. Attorney General

The Public Records Law does not give the attorney general a specific role in the enforcement of the act; however, the attorney general could prosecute violators of the Public Records Law under the statute regarding tampering with governmental records discussed above.

As should be clear, the attorney general does have the power to issue advisory opinions when specific questions are raised regarding the proper interpretation of the Public Records Law.  See e.g., Op. Att'y Gen. Ala. No. 2007-067, 2007 Ala. AG LEXIS 40 (Apr. 3, 2007; 212 Op. Att'y Gen. Ala. 26 (Aug. 1, 1988); 208 Op. Att'y Gen. Ala. 28 (Sept. 2, 1987).

The Attorney General has specific statutory authority to bring actions against persons or agencies having custody of public records “as may be appropriate” to enforce compliance with the Act and to seek either civil or criminal penalties or both. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-73(a).

In investigating alleged violations, the Attorney General or county/district attorney may subpoena witnesses, investigate, etc. K.S.A. 45-228.

"Any person can request advice from the attorney general as to the applicability of [the records act] under any circumstances." Wis. Stat. § 19.39. The attorney general has enforcement authority under Wis. Stat. § 19.37(1)(b), along with the district attorney for the county where the record is found, upon written request by the requester. However, this authority is rarely exercised because the Open Records law authorizes requesters to bring their own enforcement actions under Wis. Stat. § 19.37(1)(a) and recover damages, reasonable attorney’s fees and actual costs if they prevail in whole or in substantial part under Wis. Stat. § 19.37(2)(a).