An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Right To Know Advisory Committee Creating the Public Access Ombudsman
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 1923
Committee Amendment CA_A_H904 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT"' A" to H.P. 1361, L.D. 1923, Bill, "'An Act To 
Implement the Recommendations of the Right To Know Advisory Committee Creating 
the Public Access Ombudsman" 
Amend the bill in section 1 in §200-1 by striking out all of subsection 4 (page 1, lines 
to 33 in L.D.) and inserting the following: 
'4. Confidentiality. The ombudsman may access records that a public agency or 
official believes are confidential in order to make a recommendation concerning whether 
the public agency or official may release the records to the public. The ombudsman's 
recommendation is not binding on the public agency or official. The ombudsman shall 
maintain the confidentiality of records and information provided to the ombudsman bv a 
public agency or official under this subsection and shall return the records to the public 
agency or official when the ombudsman's review is complete.' 
Amend the bill in section I in §200-1 in subsection 5 in the first line (page I, line 34 
in L.D.) by striking out the following: 
"Beginning in 2008, the" and inserting the 
following: The' 
Amend the bill in section I in §200-1 by inserting at the end the following: 
'6. Repeal. This section is repealed June 30, 2009.' 
Amend the bill by striking out all of section 2 and inserting the following: 
, Sec. 2. 
Pilot project. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, 
section 200-1, subsection I, the Department of the Attorney General may establ ish the 
Public Access Division and appoint the Public Access Ombudsman as a pilot project if 
funding is available. 
Sec. 3. Appropriations and allocations. 
The following appropriations and 
allocations are made. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
, 
"I -' 
II 
j"l 
__ 1 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT"~" to H.P. 1361, L.D. 1923 
ATTORNEY GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF THE 
Administration - Attorney General 0310 
Initiative: Allocates funds for a part-time Assistant Attorney General position and general 
operating expenses required to carry out the purposes of this Act. 
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND 
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT 
Personal Services 
All Other 
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND TOTAL 
SUMMARY 
This amendment: 
2007-08 
2008-09 
0.000 
0.500 
$0 
$39,458 
$0 
$1,718 
$0 
$41,176 
I. Revises the establishment of the Public Access Division within the Department of 
the Attorney General and the appointment of the Public Access Ombudsman. 
[t 
authorizes the Attorney General to establish the Public Access Division and appoint the 
Publ ic Access Ombudsman as a pilot project if funding is available; 
2. Clarifies that the Public Access Ombudsman makes nonbinding recommendations 
concerning the release of records to the public and clarifies the manner in which those 
records must be handled: 
3. 
Deletes the requirement that the Public Access Ombudsman make an annual 
report in 2008; and 
4. 
Repeals the provisions establishing the Public Access Division and the Public 
Access Ombudsman June 30, 2009. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approv'ed: 03/3 1108 frac 
LD 1923 
LR 2685(05) 
An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Right To Know Advisory Committee Creating the 
Public Access Ombudsman 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "If" 
Committee: Judiciary 
Appropriations/Allocations 
Federal Expenditures Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
2007-08 
$0 
2008-09 
$41,176 
Projections 
2009-10 
$0 
Projections 
2010-11 
$0 
This bill includes a federal allocation to the Department of the Attomey General of $41,176 in fiscal year 2008-09 for 
a part-time Assistant Attomey General limited period position and general operating expenses to calTY out the 
purposes of this act. 
LR2685(05) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1