Due to the U.S. Freedom of Information Act, state governments adopted their own regulations regarding government record transparency, and because of Montana’s Open Meetings Law, occupants of Columbia Falls can also enjoy transparency within their municipality. This statute, itself based on the Freedom of Information Act at the country wide level, supplies Columbia Falls people with information associated with cases of governmental intervention, including the addresses and names of those involved, the situations leading up an incidence, effects and sentences passed down, and much more. Residents of Columbia Falls are able to better understand their rights because of these laws, and the transparency provided by the release of these records keeps both criminals and legislators culpable with regard to their actions, consequently leading to a more open and free society for all.