The Montana public records law under Montana Code 2-6-1001 et seq. states that citizens are entitled to public records in the state.  However, the Montana Constitution states that no person may be denied such records.  The Constitution trumps statute, so anyone may request public documents in Montana, based on the following, “no person shall be deprived of the right to examine documents or to observe the deliberations of all public bodies.”

The Montana Open Meetings Law under Montana Code 2-6-1001 et seq. provides the methods by which public meetings are conducted.  The statement of purpose of the Open Meetings Act states, “the legislature finds and declares that public boards, commissions, councils, and other public agencies in this state exist to aid in the conduct of the peoples’ business.  It is the intent of this part that actions and deliberations of all public agencies shall be conducted openly.  The people of the state do not wish to abdicate their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them.  Towards these ends, the provisions of the part shall be liberally construed.”