Summary
To ensure that the public and media have access to public documents and meetings while also cutting down on requests meant just to harass public officials, a diverse commission has revised Maine's Freedom of Access laws. Their changes include provisions requiring that copying fees be reasonable and that government entities respond to requests for information within a reasonable amount of time. The bill also allows towns to recoup the costs of searching for and compiling information that is requested. A review of what are estimated to be 500 exemptions to the law would also be undertaken to see if some exceptions are outdated and no longer needed.
Because the bill, LD 1957, is the result of work done by a committee of municipal, county, school and law enforcement officials, as well as the public and journalists, it has already had to overcome internal opposition. The result is a bill that protects the interest of the public and government entities. It should be passed by the Legislature.See the full content of this document
Extract
The Public's Business
The bill is the result of a November 2002 test of the current law. The Maine Freedom ...
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