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Open Government Training Resources
One of the Office of Open Government’s primary functions is to provide open government training resources.
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Public Records Training Session
An Overview of the Sunshine and Public Records Laws
This PDF file contains a 65-page outline of the public records law and Florida’s Sunshine Law. It can be used by state and local government officials and employees, as well as private individuals seeking to obtain information about Florida’s open government laws.
The John Scott Dailey Florida Institute of Government at Florida State University
This Institute offers an online interactive training course, Florida’s Code of Ethics, Sunshine Law and Public Records Act, which contains information for state and local government officials regarding meetings and discussions covered by the Sunshine Law and documents covered by the Public Record Laws. The institute has partnered with the Office of Open Government to provide training for 500 state agency managers. Ethics training is also provided by the institute. The training content was written by the Florida Commission on Ethics and the Florida Attorney General’s Office.
2008 Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual
To assist the public and governmental agencies in understanding the requirements and exemptions to Florida’s open government laws, the Attorney General’s Office compiles a comprehensive guide known as the Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual. The manual is published each year at no taxpayer expense by the First Amendment Foundation in Tallahassee. The manual is available online in a searchable format and an abridged edition that can be downloaded. An order form is also available to request hard copies of the manual from the First Amendment Foundation.
First Amendment Foundation Sample Public Records Request
A public records request does not have to be made in writing. However, should you want to make a written request, the attached letter can be used as a model. Simply fill in the appropriate date, address, and salutation, and describe the records you are requesting.
The Brechner Center for Freedom of Information at the University of Florida educates the public, press, public officials, students and attorneys about the value of openness and how the state’s Government-in-the-Sunshine laws work. The Center produces a monthly newsletter and special reports, and responds to hundreds of queries annually about the First Amendment and access to information. The Center’s Executive Director conducts and publishes research on freedom of information issues and speaks at regional, national and international conferences.
The Florida Department of State’s Public Records Management Seminars are recommended for individuals who are responsible for managing and maintaining government agency records. The Seminars focus on various principles and practices that will ensure records management programs are in compliance with Florida’s public record law.