Page 14 - Lozano Smith Board Member Toolkit 2026

Chapter 2

PUBLIC RECORDS ACT

Introduction

“[T]he Legislature, mindful of the right of individuals to privacy,

finds and declares that access to information concerning the
conduct of the people’s business is a fundamental and
necessary right of every person in this state.” (Government

Code section 7921.) Because public agencies exist for the
purpose of handling public business, their daily operations are
subject to a level of transparency. The Legislature enacted the

California Public Records Act (Government Code sections
7920, et seq.) to address this need for transparency.

11 Guide to Effective Governance