Britney Long Will Lead Indiana Public Access Office

Governor Mike Braun has appointed a new public access counselor to oversee state transparency beginning on Monday.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in People

Britney Long Will Lead Indiana Public Access Office

Live Poll

Do you trust that your state's public access office effectively handles transparency requests?

Britney Long will assume the role of Indiana public access counselor on October 5, 2026. She replaces Jennifer Ruby, who had been appointed to the position in March 2025.

Why it matters

The appointment follows concerns raised by a coalition of media organizations in July regarding processing delays for public access requests. Governor Mike Braun aims to use this leadership change to improve transparency and accountability within the state.

Britney Long brings more than a decade of legal experience to the role. She served as a magistrate judge in Bartholomew County from 2022 through 2026 and worked at an Indianapolis law firm from 2014 through 2022.

The players

Britney Long

She is the incoming public access counselor for Indiana who previously served as a magistrate judge and deputy general counsel.

Mike Braun

He is the Governor of Indiana responsible for the appointment of the new public access counselor.

Jennifer Ruby

She is the outgoing public access counselor who held the position since March 2025.

The details

The public access counselor position is responsible for providing advice and assistance regarding Indiana public access laws. Long will transition into this role following her recent work as deputy general counsel for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Britney Long held a position at an Indianapolis law firm from 2014 through 2022.
Jennifer Ruby was appointed public access counselor in March 2025.
Long served as a magistrate judge for the Bartholomew County Circuit Court from 2022 through 2026.
A coalition of media organizations requested a meeting about office delays in July 2026.
Britney Long begins her new position on October 5, 2026.

Market Landscape

The appointment of a new counselor dictates how the Indiana Access to Public Records Act is interpreted and enforced across state agencies. This leadership shift signals a reevaluation of administrative transparency standards in response to public and media pressure.

Residents and members of the media may experience changes in how public record requests are processed and prioritized by the state. The new leadership could lead to faster response times for those seeking information under public access laws.

The takeaway

The appointment of a new public access counselor marks a significant shift in administrative oversight for state government documents. Residents should monitor whether this change results in more efficient processing of information requests in the coming months.