Spain

Openness and transparency

Information about access to parliamentary documents, parliament’s reporting to the public, parliament’s relation to Freedom of Information laws, and lobbying.

Parliamentary documents

The agendas of plenary meetings are published online in advance The agendas of plenary meetings are published online in advance.
The agendas of committee meetings are published online in advance The agendas of committee meetings are published online in advance.
Results of votes on draft legislation are published on the parliamentary web site Results of votes on draft legislation are published on the parliamentary web site.
Draft legislation is published on the parliamentary website Draft legislation is published on the parliamentary website.
Citizens can submit comments on draft legislation on the parliamentary web site

Annual reporting by parliament

Parliament publishes an annual report on its activities
Parliament publishes the parliamentary budget
Level of detail of the parliamentary budget made available to the public Level of detail of the parliamentary budget made available to the public: Only the total amount; A summary of the main elements; The complete budget
The complete budget
The parliamentary budget is available on the parliamentary web site
Yes

Access to parliament

Plenary meetings are open to the public
Notes
During meetings access to the Chamber of Sessions is permitted only to Senators and civil servants. In the Chamber there is a gallery for press and the public.
Exceptions found here: https://www.senado.es/web/conocersenado/elsenadoabresuspuertas/visitarsenado/solicitarvisita/index.html
Committee meetings are open to the public
There is a dedicated channel for broadcasting parliamentary meetings A dedicated channel is one that is mainly about parliament, and is accessible free of charge to the general public. The channel might be owned by Parliament or a public or private company. Dedicated channels may be broadcast by parliament, government, or another broadcaster. They may be carried on television, radio or the Internet (webcasting).
Media used for the dedicated channel
TV
Webcast
Meetings broadcast on the dedicated channel
Plenary sittings
Committee meetings

Freedom of information

There is a freedom of information law in the country
Yes
Parliament is subject to the freedom of information law
Parliament has an office/division dedicated to FOI requests
Yes
Categories of Information that are exempt from disclosure Certain categories of information may be exempt from disclosure
Law 19/2013, of December 9, on Transparency, Access to Public Information and Good governance.
Access to information can be limited if there is a risk to national security, defense, international relations, public safety/security, the prevention and investigation of crimes, economic and business interests, professional secrets, intellectual and industrial property environmental protection, personal data. The application of the limits must be justified and proportional, and the corresponding resolution is made public.

There is a Commission for Access to Public Information in the Congress: https://www.congreso.es/public_oficiales/L10/CONG/BOCG/D/BOCG-10-D-595.PDF

Lobbying

There are rules about the activities of lobbyists in parliament
There is a register of accredited lobbyists