What does the Sunshine Act require advisory committees to do?

The Sunshine Act, formally known as the Government in the Sunshine Act, mandates that advisory committees hold open meetings to ensure transparency and public access to government proceedings. This law is intended to promote accountability in government by allowing the public to observe the discussions and decision-making processes of advisory committees.

When advisory committees hold open meetings, they must provide advance notice of these meetings, allowing interested individuals to attend and observe. This requirement supports the values of transparency and participation in democracy, enabling citizens to stay informed about governmental actions that may affect them without fear of exclusion.

The other options do not align with the fundamental objective of the Sunshine Act as the act encourages public engagement and scrutiny rather than limiting access or confidentiality. Therefore, holding open meetings is a crucial function mandated by the Sunshine Act to reinforce open governance.