OPMA and PRA Practice Tips and Checklists
This page provides checklists and tip sheets that were developed by MRSC, in partnership with the State Auditor's Center for Government Innovation, to provide practical guidance for local agencies on the Public Records Act (PRA) and the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA).
It is part of MRSC's series on the Public Records Act and the Open Public Meetings Act.
Public Records Act (PRA) Checklists
PRA: Agency Obligations: a Starting Point
The PRA establishes basic procedural requirements that each agency must adopt. Use this checklist as a start for PRA compliance. Revised March 2021.
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PRA: How to Perform an Adequate Search
The PRA requires that agencies perform an adequate search to locate records responsive to a public records request. Use these practice tips to guide your agency's search for responsive records. Revised March 2021.
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PRA: Electronic Records – PRA and Records Retention Practice Tips
Electronic records can pose unique challenges for agencies related to records retention and the requirements of the PRA. Use these practice tips to guide your agency’s compliance with the PRA and records retention law in the context of electronic records. Revised March 2021.
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PRA: Electronic Records – PRA and Records Retention Do’s and Don’ts
Rules governing electronic records can be complicated so it can be helpful to have guidance on what’s allowed, and what’s not, regarding common types of records. Use these Do’s and Don’ts to help guide your agency’s compliance with the PRA and records retention laws as these laws relate to electronic records. Revised March 2021.
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Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) Checklists
OPMA: Agency Obligations: A Starting Point
The basic requirement of the OPMA is that meetings of governing bodies be open and public. Use these practice tips to guide your agency's OPMA compliance. Updated to reflect legislative changes as of June 2023.
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OPMA: Notice Requirements
Under the OPMA, to ensure that agency deliberations and other actions are conducted and taken openly, agencies are required to provide sufficient public notice of their meetings. Use these practice tips as a starting guide for OPMA notice requirements. Updated to reflect legislative changes as of June 2023.
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OPMA: Executive Session Procedures
The OPMA requires specific steps be taken in order to hold an executive session. Use this checklist to guide your agency's compliance with the OPMA related to executive sessions. Updated to reflect legislative changes as of June 2023.
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OPMA: Electronic Communications Practice Tips
Use of electronic records by members of a local government’s governing body can implicate the OPMA. Use these practice tips to guide your agency’s OPMA compliance in the context of electronic records. Updated to reflect legislative changes as of June 2023.
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