An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Committee To Study Compliance with Maine's Freedom of Access Laws Legislative Study
Maine Legislature, Session 122, LD 0301
Committee Amendment CA_A_H632 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A, to H. P • 226, L.D. 301, Bill, "An 
Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Committee To Study 
Compliance with Maine's Freedom of Access Laws" 
Amend the bill in section 1 in that part designated "§411." 
by striking out all of subsections 6 and 7 and inserting in their 
place the following: 
'6. 
Duties 
and 
powers. 
To 
the 
extent 
of 
available 
resources, the committee: 
A. 
Shall provide to the review committee under subchapter 
I-A 
information 
and 
advice 
concerning 
the 
review 
of 
exceptions to public records under subchapter I-A and shall 
assist the review committee in ensuring that the schedule 
for 
review is maintained, 
that proposed exceptions 
are 
subject to the review process and that the criteria for 
review are appropriately applied; 
B. 
Shall review the public's access to public proceedings 
and records; 
C. 
Shall 
make 
recommendations 
to 
the 
Governor, 
the 
Legislature, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court 
and local and regional governmental entities for changes in 
law 
and practice that are 
appropriate 
to maintain the 
integrity of the freedom of access laws and their underlying 
principles; 
Page I-LR0113(2) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A, to H.P. 226, L.D. 301 
D. 
Shall serve 
as 
an adviser to 
the Legislature 
when 
legislation affecting public access is considered; 
E. 
Shall prepare interpretive and educational materials and 
programs 
concerning 
the 
freedom 
of 
access 
laws 
in 
cooperation with the Attorney General; 
F. 
Shall respond to inquiries made by the public and public 
agencies and officials concerning the freedom of access laws; 
G. 
May conduct public hearings. conferences. workshops and 
other 
meetings 
to 
obtain 
information 
about, 
discuss. 
publicize the needs of and consider solutions to problems 
concerning access to public proceedings and records; 
H. 
May submit legislation to the Legislature at the start 
of each legislative session; and 
I. 
May 
undertake 
other activities consistent with its 
responsibilities. ' 
Further amend the bill in section 1 in that part designated 
"S411." by inserting after subsection 10 the following: 
'11. 
Assistance. 
The committee may request from any public 
agency or official assistance and information to enable 
the 
committee to effectively carry out the responsibilities described 
in this section.' 
Further amend the bill in section 1 in that part designated 
"S411." in subsection 11 in the first line (page 3, line 37 in 
L.D.) by striking out the following: "January 15" and inserting 
in its place the following: 'December l' 
Further amend the bill in section 1 in that part designated 
"S411." by renumbering the subsections to read consecutively. 
Further amend the bill by striking out all of section 3. 
Further amend the 
nonconsecutive 
consecutively. 
Part 
bill by relettering 
letter 
or 
section 
SUMMARY 
or renumbering 
number 
to 
any 
read 
This amendment deletes the Public Access Ombudsman from the 
bill and shifts some of the responsibilities to the Freedom of 
Access 
Advisory Committee. 
It also revises the 
language to 
clarify that the advisory committee provides 
information and 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ,A" to H.P. 226, L.D. 301 
advice 
to 
the Joint Standing Committee 
on 
Judiciary as it 
conducts freedom of access reviews of public records exceptions, 
and assists the committee in ensuring that the schedule for 
review is maintained. 
It also clarifies that the 
advisory 
committee may 
request assistance and information from public 
agencies 
and 
officials, 
but 
removes 
the 
language 
requiring 
cooperation. 
FISCAL :\OTE REQt:IRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 06/02/05 ~aC!. 
LD301 
LR 0113(02) 
An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Committee To Study Compliance with Maine's 
Freedom of Access Laws 
Legislative Study 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment:lt 
Committee: Judiciary 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Current Costs - Legislative Study 
The projected costs to fund the general operating expenses of the ongoing Freedom of Access 
Advisory Committee are $6,240 annually beginning in fiscal year 2005-06. The Legislature's budget 
includes $30,000 in fiscal year 2005-06 and $20,000 in fiscal year 2006-07 for legislative studies. 
Whether the amounts are sufficient to fund all studies will depend on the number of studies 
authorized by the Legislative Council and the Legislature. 
LROl13(2) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1