Sunshine Laws government Written by Fritz Messere Contributor to SAGE Publications's The SAGE Encyclopedia of Journalism (2022) whose work appears in Britannica as part of a joint publishing agreement with SAGE. Fritz Messere Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Apr. 16, 2026 •History Sunshine Laws, In the United States, the term sunshine law is typically used to refer to state laws providing for public access to government meetings and public records as well as to the Government in the Sunshine Act (5 U.S.C. 552b), which governs access to business meetings of some 50 federal agencies, commissions, and boards. The Government in the Sunshine Act was signed into law on September 13, 1976, by President Gerald Ford. The legislation...

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