Opinion ID: 2301560
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Applicability of the Freedom of Access Laws

Text: [¶ 15] MacImage argues that its claims fall under Maine's Freedom of Access Act and that all statutory interpretation must be viewed in light of FOAA's broad definition of public records that are open and available for public inspection. See 1 M.R.S. §§ 402(3), 408 (2011). We conclude that the applicability of FOAA is not dispositive here. [¶ 16] The Legislature has chosen to establish county registries of deeds, to require that all records be made available to the public, and to allow the counties to charge reasonable fees for the services made available through the registries. See generally 33 M.R.S. §§ 651-670, 751-752 (2011). Thus, there is no dispute that the records at issue are always open for public inspection and copying, and the counties agree that they have that responsibility. [¶ 17] The dispute that brings the parties before us relates only to the fees that may be charged by the counties for the bulk electronic transfer of the records. The specific legislation regarding the registries found in title 33not the more general language of FOAAcontrols the resolution of the dispute regarding the reasonableness of the fees charged by the counties. The Legislature has recently clarified that FOAA is not intended to govern fees for copying records from the registries of deeds. See P.L.2009, ch. 575, § 1 (effective July 12, 2010) (codified at 33 M.R.S. § 651 (2011) (stating that, notwithstanding FOAA, this chapter governs fees for copying records maintained under this chapter)); see also 1 M.R.S. § 408(1) (2011) (stating that the FOAA provisions regarding the right to inspect and copy public records apply [e]xcept as otherwise provided by statute). [¶ 18] Moreover, the purpose of FOAA is not offended by the independent statute governing the fees that may be charged by the registries of deeds. See 1 M.R.S. § 401 (2011) (stating the purpose of FOAA to promote the openness of government activities and the records of those activities). [9] Because we conclude that the more specific statutes governing registry functions govern the determination of the reasonableness of the fees imposed, we do not discuss FOAA further.