Three key bills restricting access to public information set to become law July 1, 2018.

The General Assembly session was a busy one, and that was not a positive for government transparency. Many of the bills the Georgia First Amendment Foundation opposed were approved by lawmakers and now await Gov. Nathan Deal’s signature.

Legislation to shield information on lottery winners receiving more than $250,000 in state money got lawmakers’ OK. It sets a dangerous precedent.

A criminal justice reform bill significantly expands the mechanisms by which trial courts can seal court records and conceal criminal histories.

Information about foster parents can be redacted from Georgia Department of Human Services records under a bill that adds an unnecessary exemption to the Open Records Act. The measure shields information on individuals chosen by DHS to serve as foster parents.

Get a full review of all the bills we tracked and how they fared in our post-session Legislative Watch.