Costa Rica
Legislative Assembly
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
No
Compare data of this field.
Annual reporting by parliament
Parliament publishes an annual report on its activities
The annual report is available on the parliamentary web site
Yes
Notes
Some parliaments publish monthly/quarterly reports.
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
Confidential voting sessions can be held when no less than two-thirds of the representatives are present.
To gain access visitors must provide appropriate identity documents, observe visiting hours, be unarmed, behave appropriately, be at least 12 years of age, and, if under 18, be accompanied by an adult.
The President of the Assembly can adopt provisions to ensure security and order in the parliament. (Constitution, art. 117; Rules of the Legislative Assembly, art. 103, 104, 191).
To gain access visitors must provide appropriate identity documents, observe visiting hours, be unarmed, behave appropriately, be at least 12 years of age, and, if under 18, be accompanied by an adult.
The President of the Assembly can adopt provisions to ensure security and order in the parliament. (Constitution, art. 117; Rules of the Legislative Assembly, art. 103, 104, 191).
Committee meetings are open to the public
Notes
The same as for access to plenary sessions, subject to a maximum of 15 visitors in the case of committee meetings. A committee chair can declare sessions closed if deemed necessary.
In addition, the Commission of Honours deliberates in confidential sessions, and voting for the granting of honorific titles is closed. (Rules of the Legislative Assembly, art. 75, 198, 200).
In addition, the Commission of Honours deliberates in confidential sessions, and voting for the granting of honorific titles is closed. (Rules of the Legislative Assembly, art. 75, 198, 200).
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
Radio
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
Article 30 of the Constitution guarantees free access to the administrative departments for obtaining information in the public interest. In May 2022, the legislature passed a Law on Access to Public Information, though the extent of exemptions that apply were still under consideration as of November 2022. Publicly accessible information includes all documents of a public nature in the possession of administrative bodies, with the exception of those declared to be State secrets or whose publication could undermine security, among other exemptions.
Confidential votes to bestow honorary titles in the parliament are also exempt from disclosure. See also Rules of the Legislative Assembly, Special Procedures, art. 200 and 201; Rules of the Legislative Assembly, art. 191.
Bill No. 20,361 - http://proyectos.conare.ac.cr/asamblea/20361%20texto%20base.htm
Bill No. 23,113, https://www.analiticaconsultores.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/23113-1.pdf
Confidential votes to bestow honorary titles in the parliament are also exempt from disclosure. See also Rules of the Legislative Assembly, Special Procedures, art. 200 and 201; Rules of the Legislative Assembly, art. 191.
Bill No. 20,361 - http://proyectos.conare.ac.cr/asamblea/20361%20texto%20base.htm
Bill No. 23,113, https://www.analiticaconsultores.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/23113-1.pdf