What category of laws mandates public access to government meetings and reports?

Transparency laws are designed to ensure that the public has access to government meetings, reports, and other governmental processes. These laws are vital in promoting accountability and informing citizens about how government decisions are made, what policies are enacted, and how taxpayer money is spent. By mandating that specific documents and meetings are accessible to the public, transparency laws help foster an environment of openness and trust between the government and the citizens it serves. This category of laws is essential for maintaining democratic principles and ensuring that the government operates in the interest of the people.

The other categories mentioned, such as privacy laws, focus on protecting individual personal information from unauthorized disclosure. Financial disclosure laws require certain officials to disclose information about their finances to prevent conflicts of interest, but they do not primarily focus on public access to government activities. Regulatory compliance laws pertain to adherence to specific regulations and standards within the government or business sectors rather than ensuring public access to information.