Which type of records must generally be made available to the public upon request?

Open records supported by public funds are generally required to be made available to the public upon request. This principle is rooted in transparency and accountability in government and public agency operations, which are funded by taxpayer dollars. The expectation is that the public has a right to access documents that detail the actions, operations, and expenditures of these entities, fostering trust and allowing for informed civic engagement.

In contrast, private sector company reports are not typically accessible to the public without permission from the company, as they often involve sensitive business information. Confidential personnel files are protected for privacy reasons and maintaining employee confidentiality. Internal compliance documents may also be restricted and typically are not intended for public dissemination, as they often contain sensitive operational or legal information. Thus, the distinction lies in the principle of public accountability applied to records funded by public resources, which must be transparently shared with the community.