Office of Information Practices

The state Office of Information Practices (OIP) issued eight new opinions in June, 2015, including two formal opinions.  The entire text of the formal opinions and the summaries of all opinions are posted on OIP’s opinions page at oip.hawaii.gov.

For FY 2015, OIP issued a total of 25 opinions, consisting of 4 formal opinions, 14 UIPA informal opinions, and 7 Sunshine Law informal opinions. Formal opinions address novel or controversial legal issues and issues requiring complex legal analysis, and they are relied upon as precedent by OIP.  The legal issues in informal opinions have been typically resolved and discussed in previous formal opinions, or the legal conclusion is based upon specific facts that limit an informal opinion’s usefulness for general guidance purposes.  Consequently, while informal opinions are binding as to the specific parties involved, and would be subject to the stringent “palpably erroneous” standard of court review in the event of an agency appeal, they are merely advisory for other purposes and are not relied upon as precedent by OIP.

For the latest open government news, check for archived copies of What’s New articles that are posted here, or e-mailed upon request. To be added to OIP’s e-mail list, please e-mail [email protected].  Also, if you would like to receive What’s New articles or attachments in a Word format, please contact OIP at (808) 586-1400 or [email protected].