Right to know bills in the Montana Legislature

Montanans’ constitutional right to know is a cornerstone of government transparency, commanding that we can all access public documents, “except in cases in which the demand of individual privacy clearly exceeds the merits of public disclosure.”  

 Though seemingly exceedingly broad, the right’s scope and strength are shaped by court rulings (as seen in last month’s column), gubernatorial decisions and legislative action. These forces significantly influence public access to information, often limiting it.  

 The Legislature is currently considering a few bills that would alter your right to know, some limiting and some expanding the right.