Const. Amend./Right to Access Public Records.

This bill proposes adding a new section to the North Carolina Constitution to guarantee the public's right to access government records and attend public meetings. It declares that public records belong to the people and mandates that records and meetings for state and local officials across all branches of government be open for inspection and duplication. The amendment includes a strict rule that any law limiting this access must prove a compelling public interest and show that the restriction is narrowly tailored to protect that interest. If voters approve the measure in the November 2024 election, the changes will become part of the state constitution, requiring future laws to align with these transparency standards.