Openness, fairness, and inclusion

Legislative and regulatory meetings and procedures should promote public participation, be fair, and ensure accountability. 

Meetings should be conducted at convenient times and places. They should be held with adequate prior notification, except in extraordinary circumstances. 

When informal, off-the-record (ex-parte) communications are permitted, they should be equally available to all parties. These communications should be properly disclosed. 

All state legislative and regulatory agencies should periodically review disclosure requirements. They should update open-records laws to keep pace with technological developments. 

Regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over critical areas such as health care, utilities, transportation, and financial services should include consumer members. They should also have significant representation from the communities and individuals affected by the agencies’ decisions.