E.__Shall serve as an adviser to the Legislature when legislation affecting public access is considered;

F.__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;

G.__May submit legislation to the Legislature at the start of each legislative session; and

I.__May undertake other activities consistent with its responsibilities.

7.__Funding.__The committee is authorized to seek, accept and expend outside sources of funding to carry out the committee's activities.

8.__Reimbursement for expenses.__Members are entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses related to travel to and from committee meetings when the expenses are approved by the chair and submitted to the Executive Director of the Legislative Council.

9.__No compensation.__The members of the committee receive no compensation for their services.

10.__Staffing.__Upon approval of the Legislative Council, the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis shall provide necessary staffing services to the committee.__In addition, the committee may contract for administrative, professional and clerical services if funding permits.

11.__Report.__By January 15, 2006 and at least annually thereafter, the committee shall report to the Governor, the Legislative Council, the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over judiciary matters and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court about the state of the freedom of access laws and the public's access to public proceedings and records.

Sec. 2. 3 MRSA §163-A, sub-§7, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 501, Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:

7. Committee assistance. To provide assistance with research, analysis and, bill drafting assistance for and review of exceptions to public records to joint standing or select