1. Where to ask for ruling

(This section is blank. See the point above.)

(This section is blank. See the subpoints below.)

The appeal is brought by filing a notice of appeal with the FOIC.

Enforcement — The FOIC may impose civil penalties and declare null and void any and all actions taken at a meeting held in violation of FOIA. Conn. Gen. Stat. §1-206(b)(2).

(This section is blank. See the subpoints below.)

Not specifically addressed.

One must seek review in the courts. See discussion, below at “Applicable Time Limits.” There are no time limits within the statutory framework of section 286.011 for a challenge under the Sunshine Act.

Georgia superior courts have jurisdiction to enforce the Act’s requirements. O.C.G.A. § 50-14-5(a).

A civil action should be brought in circuit court within sixty days from the time of the alleged violation. Alternatively, a request may be filed with the Public Access Counselor established in the Office of the Attorney General. This, too, should be filed within sixty days of the alleged violation. See 5 ILCS 120/3.5.

The Attorney General may exercise their discretion, choosing mediation or other means of resolving the dispute rather than a binding opinion. 5 ILCS 120/3.5(e). Remedy sought with the Public Access Counselor under section 3.5 results in a review of the alleged violation. Then the Attorney General shall issue an opinion to the requester and public body within sixty days after initiating review. Id. The Attorney General may issue advisory opinions to public bodies regarding compliance with this Act. A review may be initiated upon receipt of a written request from the head of the public body or its attorney. See 5 ILCS 120/3.5(e) and (h). A public body that relies in good faith on an advisory opinion of the Attorney General in complying with the requirements of this Act is not liable for penalties under this Act, so long as the facts upon which the opinion is based have been fully and fairly disclosed to the Public Access Counselor. See 5 ILCS 120/3.5(h).

Note: Under section 3.5, the Attorney General can void final actions taken in open meetings as well as closed meetings. Public Access Opinion 16-015 (available at https://perma.cc/FK73-J2YZ) (original vote voided after determination that proper public notice was not provided).

No docket priority is afforded this type of action, whether brought in the form of a direct challenge under chapter 21, or as an action seeking judicial review under chapter 17A.

The Open Meetings Act provides for enforcement by allowing for appeal to the Attorney General concerning a public agency’s violation of the Act. Ky. Rev. Stat. 61.846(2). A complaining party should "forward to the Attorney General a copy of the written complaint and a copy of the written denial within sixty (60) days from receipt by that party of the written denial." Id. The Attorney General will review the submitted materials and issue a decision within ten (10) business days. Id. The decision will state whether the public agency violated the Act. Id.

There are two ways to challenge a violation of the Open Meeting Law.  First, you can file an administrative complaint with the chair of the public body, using a form on the Attorney General’s website.  940 C.M.R. 29.05(1). This must be done “within 30 days of the alleged violation” or, if the violation “could not reasonably have been known at the time it occurred, then within 30 days of the date it should reasonably have been discovered.” Id. at 29.05 (4). Within 14 days, the public body must review the complaint, “take remedial action, if appropriate,” send the complainant a response and description of the remedial action taken, and simultaneously send the Attorney General a copy of the complaint, the response, and a description of the remedial action taken, if any. Id. at 29.05(5).

Alternatively, the Attorney General or 3 or more registered voters may initiate a civil action to enforce the Open Meeting Law. G.L. c. 30A, § 23(f). The statute does not specify when such an action must be taken.

The Mississippi Ethics Commission.

Rulings are made by the circuit court for the county in which the governmental body has its principal place of business. Mo.Rev.Stat. § 610.027.1.

State District Court.

The Statute provides that a person "aggrieved by a violation of this chapter may petition the Superior Court for injunctive [or other] relief. RSA 91-A:7.

See below.

North Carolina has no formal form or procedure, other than court action, for enforcing or obtaining rulings concerning the Open Meetings Law.
Experience has proven that the most effective informal remedy for enforcement of the Open Meetings Law is publicity concerning the public body’s course of action, which often serves to galvanize public opinion, to embarrass public officials who participate in excluding the public and concealing their own actions, and to give comfort and encouragement to public officials who favor openness.

Any interested person may request an attorney general’s opinion to review an alleged violation of the open meetings law. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1(1). The request must be made within thirty days of the alleged violation, except that a request based on allegations that a meeting occurred without the required notice must be made within ninety days of the alleged violation. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1(1). The attorney general may request and obtain information claimed to be exempt or confidential for the purpose of determining whether the information is exempt or confidential. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1(1). The attorney general must then issue to the public entity involved an opinion on the alleged violation, unless the request is withdrawn by the person requesting the opinion or a civil action has been filed involving the possible violation. N.D.C.C. § 44-04-21.1(1).

North Dakota law lays out the administrative appeal procedure:

44-04-21.1. Administrative review procedure.

1. Any interested person may request an attorney general’s opinion to review a written denial of a request for records under section 44-04-18, a denial of access to a meeting under section 44-04 19, or other alleged violation of section 44-04-18, 44-04-19, 44-04-19.2, 44-04-20, or 44-04-21 by any public entity other than the legislative assembly or any committee thereof. A request made under this section must be made within thirty days of the alleged violation, except that a request based on allegations that a meeting occurred without the notice required by section 44-04-20, must be made within ninety days of the alleged violation. In preparing an opinion under this section, the attorney general has discretion to obtain and review a recording made under section 44-04-19.2. The attorney general may request and obtain information claimed to be exempt or confidential for the purpose of determining whether the information is exempt or confidential. Any such information may not be released by the attorney general and may be returned to the provider of the information. The attorney general shall issue to the public entity involved an opinion on the alleged violation unless the request is withdrawn by the person requesting the opinion or a civil action has been filed involving the possible violation. If the request pertains to a public entity as defined in subdivision c of subsection 12 of section 44-04 17.1, the opinion must be issued to the public entity providing the public funds. In any opinion issued under this section, the attorney general shall base the opinion on the facts given by the public entity.
2. If the attorney general issues a written opinion concluding that a violation has occurred, the public entity has seven days after the opinion is issued, regardless of whether a civil action is filed under section 44-04-21.2, to disclose the record, to issue a notice of a meeting that will be held within a reasonable time to correct the violation, or to take steps to correct any other violation. If the public entity fails to take the required action within the seven-day period and the person requesting the opinion prevails in a civil action brought under section 44-04-21.2, the person must be awarded costs, disbursements, and reasonable attorney’s fees in the action and on appeal. The consequences for failing to comply with an attorney general’s opinion issued under this section will be the same as for other attorney general’s opinions, including potential personal liability for the person or persons responsible for the noncompliance.

3. If a state-level public entity as defined in subdivision a of subsection 12 of section 44-04-17.1 does not comply in full with the attorney general’s opinion, and a civil action is brought under section 44-04-21.2 or is reasonably predictable, the entity, at its sole cost and expense, shall retain separate counsel who has been approved and appointed by the attorney general as a special assistant attorney general to represent the entity in that action.

(This section is blank. See the subpoints below.)

Under the Oregon Public Meetings Law, there is no administrative process for an informal determination as to proper use of executive session or other kinds of public meetings questions. The Attorney General is of assistance but does not have the statutorily delegated powers which are found in the Public Records Law. A ruling must be sought in circuit court.

Not applicable. There is no requirement that administrative remedies be exhausted, or that a formal or informal protest or request be lodged with the particular agency. Such a request would be helpful, however, in developing a record for a court challenge.

Under the South Carolina act, relief in the form of an injunction or a declaratory judgment may be sought from the Court of Common Pleas. The action is initiated by the filing of a summons and complaint. Rule 3, South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure.

(This section is blank. See the subpoints below.)

The Public Meetings Act does not set forth procedural requirements for right of access. Venue calls for the court in the county in which the meeting took place is the proper place to seek relief from the courts.