Section 102. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:
"Action." Any action at law or in equity.
"Commonwealth agency." Any executive agency or independent agency.
"Executive agency." The Governor and the departments, boards, commissions, authorities and other officers and agencies of the Commonwealth government, but the term does not include any court or other officer or agency of the unified judicial system, the General Assembly and its officers and agencies, or any independent agency.
"Independent agency." The Department of the Attorney General, the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Historical and Museum Commission, the State Civil Service Commission, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, the Milk Marketing Board, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, the State Tax Equalization Board, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, the Pennsylvania Crime Commission, and the State Ethics Commission. Except for the provisions of section 204(b) and (f), and for actions pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 5110 (relating to limited waiver of sovereign immunity), for the purposes of this act the Department of the Auditor General, including the Board of Claims, State Treasury and the Public Utility Commission shall not be considered either executive agencies or independent agencies. (Def. repealed in part July 2, 2012, P.L.814, No.86)
"Matter." Action, proceeding or appeal.
"Right to access." The term does not include access for the purpose of satisfying discovery requests propounded on the Office of Attorney General in a civil action, unless the agency in question is a party to the action and is represented by the Office of Attorney General. (Def. added Feb. 11, 2026, P.L.9, No.4)
Compiler's Note: The name of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, referred to in this section, was changed to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission by the Act 39 of 1991. See 30 Pa.C.S. § 308 (relating to designation of commission).