In Kansas, public records refer to documents, information, and data maintained by government agencies and institutions that are accessible to the general public upon request. These records are subject to the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), which is a set of laws that governs public access to government records in the state.

Under the Kansas Open Records Act, public records include a wide range of documents and information, such as…

1. Government agency records – Records created, maintained, or received by state and local government agencies, including executive branch agencies, legislative bodies, and judicial branches.

2. Official communications – Correspondence, emails, memos, and other communications produced or received by government officials and employees in the course of their official duties.

3. Meeting minutes and agendas – Records of meetings, including minutes, agendas, and supporting materials, held by government bodies such as city councils, county commissions, and school boards.

4. Financial records – Budgets, financial reports, audits, and other fiscal documents maintained by government agencies.

5. Legal documents – Court records, case files, judgments, and other legal documents generated by the judicial system.

6. Property records – Records related to real estate transactions, property ownership, tax assessments, and property deeds.

7. Vital records – Certain types of vital records, such as birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees, are also considered public records in Kansas, although access to these records may be restricted to certain individuals or subject to privacy protections.

Note that while many government records are considered public, there are exceptions and exemptions to the Kansas Open Records Act. Certain types of records may be exempt from public disclosure, such as records containing sensitive personal information, ongoing law enforcement investigations, or confidential business information.

Individuals seeking access to public records in Kansas may submit a request to the relevant government agency or official responsible for maintaining the records. The agency is generally required to respond to the request within a reasonable timeframe and provide access to the requested records, subject to any applicable exemptions or limitations.