Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr reported Wednesday on efforts to promote understanding of the state's open meetings and open records law, saying his office has assisted 260 citizens in the past year with getting documents and answers from government.

The attorney general said in a news release that many complaints his office has mediated between citizens and governments came “not because of malicious intent, but rather due to a lack of understanding or lack of knowledge” about the law in Georgia. Through an “Open Government Tour,” Carr said his office conducted 14 training sessions for state agency staff members, attended by some 500 people.

“Openness and transparency are critical to an efficient and well-functioning government,” Carr said. “As public officials, we are simply trustees of the people's documents. Ensuring access to government meetings and records is crucial to keeping the public informed and holding elected officials accountable. Our office takes very seriously our role in open government, and we will continue to work with municipalities, state agencies, the media and all interested parties to promote and protect transparent government in Georgia.”

The attorney general's website contains a form for submitting open records requests to  government entities. Carr's open government mediation program is led by Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Colangelo.