Alaska FOIA Laws

The Alaska Open Meetings Act is a law that addresses public meetings and protects the public’s right to know and opportunity to be heard. Some other things the act addresses is the definition of public meetings and public entities, specific requirements for public notice, the requirement that all meetings of a governmental body of a public entity are open to the public, provisions for attendance at meetings and voting methods, provisions for distribution of meeting materials, and the few exceptions to the act as well as matters that may be discussed in executive session.

Open Meetings Act A.S. §44.62.310 et seq.
Closed: If they could prejudice the reputation or character of any person, or adversely affect government finances.

Alaska Public Records Act

The Alaska Public Records Act states that most records in the possession of municipal (and state) government are subject to disclosure and this applies to municipalities. Citizens should presume that all records are public and subject to inspection by any member of the public. The only reason a record may be withheld from public disclosure is if a legal exception can be identified that authorizes withholding access.

Section AS 40.25.220(3) in the Alaska Public Records Act defines “public records” to mean “books, papers, files, accounts, writings, including drafts and memorializations of conversations, and other items, regardless of format or physical characteristics, that are developed or received by a public agency, or by a private contractor for a public agency, and that are preserved for their informational value or as evidence of the organization or operation of the public agency; ‘public records’ does not include proprietary software programs.”

Alaska Public Records Act A.S. §09.25.110 et seq.
Exempt: Juvenile, adoption, medical and public health; library lending; names of victims of certain types of sexual assault; and some law enforcement records.

Visit, Alaska Sample FOIA Request, to view a sample FOIA request for the state.