States in the union preserve records on court documents, vehicular traffic transgressions, marriage and divorce certificates, property and lien records, and more, and because of the Minnesota Data Practices Act, these records are available to the populace. These laws, or series of laws, offer Houston residents the capability to search for, document, and apply this data, which includes specifics about those involved, when the event occured, the effects of any municipal action, and information on what transpired. This legislation, which was mainly in line with the U.S. Freedom of Information Act, are in place to guarantee U.S. Citizens and citizens of Houston have the ability to realize their protection under the law, and hold regulators and criminals responsible for their actions, promoting a free and open society for all.