OpenRep helps people find, understand, and track public legislation in all 50 states without having to read thousands of pages of legal text.
Why
The American experiment relies on the principle that a free and informed citizenry is essential to a functioning democracy. Self-governance works when people can see how laws are made, understand their impact, and are empowered to participate with knowledge and confidence.
OpenRep exists to make legislative information understandable and usable. By translating complex policy into clear insights, the platform empowers individuals to engage thoughtfully in the democratic process.
Mission
To make legislative information more accessible, understandable, and actionable.
Vision
A future where civic engagement is powered by clear, trustworthy, and timely policy intelligence.
Values
Accessibility: Public policy should be understandable to everyone, not just experts.
Clarity: Complex legal language is translated into plain, actionable insights.
Accuracy: Summaries and metadata are grounded in source text and verifiable data.
Civic Impact: Technological implementation in the civic process strengthens civic participation and increases public servants' accountability.
Empowerment: Users are given the tools and knowledge to act on the issues that matter to them.
Data & Sources
Legislative data powering OpenRep is provided in part through APIs from Open States and LegiScan. We are grateful for their commitment to public access and transparency in legislative information.
Special Thanks
Sergio Rodriguez and Michael Lee for technical advice, and Rachel Kittelberger for user acceptance testing.
Designed and created by Christopher Lee.