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March 19, 2009 By News Report
"The public clearly has a right to know what government is doing and to participate in the process." -- South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds (pictured)
South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds signed legislation today that presumes government records are open to the public unless specifically closed by law, ordinance or rule.
The measure contains exceptions to protect the personal privacy of South Dakotans and proprietary business information.
"The public clearly has a right to know what government is doing and to participate in the process," Rounds said. "That is the foundation of democracy."
The new law, which goes into effect July 1, will guide state and local officials as they consider public requests to view government records, the Governor said.
Exceptions in the law are necessary to prevent disclosure of information that truly should be confidential, he said.
"All levels of government receive volumes of information from people and businesses," Rounds said. "Much of that information is private and should remain that way."
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