Rhode Island General Laws Title 38. Public Records § 38-1-1.1. Definitions

(1) “ Agency” or “ public body” shall mean any executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, administrative body of the state, or any political subdivision thereof; including, but not limited to, any department, division, agency, commission, board, office, bureau, authority, any school, fire, or water district, or other agency or quasi-public agency of Rhode Island state or local government which exercises governmental functions, or any other public or private agency, person, partnership, corporation, or business entity acting on behalf of any public agency.

(2) “ Public business” means any matter over which the public body has supervision, control, jurisdiction, or advisory power.

(3) “ Public record” or “ public records” shall mean all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, or other material regardless of physical form or characteristics made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency.

(4) “ Supervisor of the regulatory body” means the chief or head of a section having enforcement responsibility for a particular statute or set of rules and regulations within a regulatory agency.