Georgia

Parliament

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
The annual report is available on the parliamentary web site
Yes
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
While considering issues that require secrecy, the President of Georgia, The Speaker of the Parliament, The Prime Minister of Georgia, other Members of the Government of Georgia, factions and committees can propose that a plenary sitting of the Parliament be declared closed in whole or partially. The proposal is adopted if the majority of present MPs (but no less than one-third of the full composition of the Parliament), support it. A Chair of a plenary sitting shall determine the list of persons who may attend a closed sitting.
The plenary sitting can either be open or closed when the decision of a Temporary Investigative Commission is discussed. And sittings to discuss the decision(s) of another Commission may be closed as well, determined by a closed vote. At the beginning of a sitting, the Speaker outlines the parameters of a closed sitting according to the Rules of Procedure and the legal liability for the publication of information regarding a Commission, investigation materials, or classified files.

Meetings of the Bureau of the Parliament are also webcast.
Committee meetings are open to the public
Notes
In special cases, a committee holds a closed sitting. The decision on holding a closed sitting is made by a majority of votes of enlisted members of the committee at the closed sitting. The list of members attending the close sitting is determined by the committee Chair. A sitting shall not be closed for the discussion of a draft law.
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
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 10 of the General Administrative Code of Georgia ensures access to public information is open, except for the cases provided by law and in accordance with the rules for information on state, commercial or professional secrets or personal data.

https://matsne.gov.ge/en/document/download/16270/18/en/pdf

Lobbying

There are rules about the activities of lobbyists in parliament
Source
Law on Lobbying Activities; Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Georgia.
https://matsne.gov.ge/en/document/view/13552?publication=7
Notes
The following topics are regulated by law: 
a. Register as a lobbyist (procedure to register; refusal to register as a lobbyist; who has a right to register as a lobbyist;) 
b. Lobbyist rights and responsibilities and legal guarantees of activity (the right to enter and move in the administrative building of the representative body; the right to participate in the discussion of a draft normative act; the right to receive information; the right to meet with a member of the representative body;
c. Lobbyist reporting and publicity of lobbying activities
There is a register of accredited lobbyists