Britney Long Will Lead Indiana Public Access Office
The new public access counselor will oversee transparency compliance for businesses and citizens starting Monday.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in People
Live Poll
Do you trust that your state's public access office effectively handles transparency requests?
Governor Mike Braun has appointed Britney Long to serve as Indiana's public access counselor, effective Monday, October 5, 2026. Long succeeds Jennifer Ruby in the role, which provides guidance on state transparency and public access laws.
Why it matters
The appointment follows concerns from media organizations regarding processing delays at the office in July 2026. This transition signals an effort by the state to restore accountability and efficiency in how government records and information are managed for the public and businesses.
Long brings more than a decade of legal experience to the office, including service as a magistrate judge and work at an Indianapolis law firm. This transition follows a July 2026 inquiry by media groups regarding persistent delays in state public access request fulfillment.
The players
Britney Long
An attorney with over a decade of experience who served as a magistrate judge for the Bartholomew County Circuit Court.
Mike Braun
The current Governor of Indiana who holds the authority to appoint executive branch officials and oversee state agency performance.
Jennifer Ruby
The former public access counselor appointed in March 2025.
The details
The public access counselor is responsible for interpreting Indiana's public access laws and providing guidance to agencies and the public. By stepping into this role, Long will manage the office that arbitrates disputes and questions regarding records transparency. Her background includes serving as a magistrate judge for the Bartholomew County Circuit Court from 2022 through 2026 and working at an Indianapolis law firm from 2014 through 2022.
Timeline
Britney Long begins the position on October 5, 2026.
Jennifer Ruby was appointed to the role in March 2025.
Media organizations requested a meeting regarding office delays in July 2026.
Market Landscape
This leadership change follows a period of heightened scrutiny regarding the enforcement of Indiana Public Access Laws. The appointment marks a move by the governor to address administrative friction within a core transparency office that sets the standard for government disclosure.
Operators who rely on public records or data requests should monitor the office for shifts in response timelines and transparency protocols. Businesses should verify their compliance contact points as the new administration takes over the public access desk on Monday.
The takeaway
Transparency leadership in Indiana is shifting to address recent backlogs in public records requests. Operators should track the new counselor's office guidance regarding public access thresholds to ensure their own information requests remain compliant with the updated standards.
Further reading
For more on state leadership changes, see People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fox 59.
Live Poll
Do you trust that your state's public access office effectively handles transparency requests?
