This is a unanimous recommendation of the Committee to Study Compliance with Maine's Freedom of Access Laws. It establishes the Freedom of Access Advisory Committee to maintain the integrity of Maine's freedom of access laws. The committee's duties include providing oversight of the review of exceptions to public records and 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. The committee shall also review the public's ability to access public proceedings and records, receive information from the Public Access Ombudsman concerning complaints about lack of access and frivolous requests for access, make recommendations for changes in law and practice that are appropriate to maintain the integrity of Maine's freedom of access laws and the underlying principles and advise the Legislature when legislation affecting public access is considered.

The committee 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 and may also submit legislation to the Legislature at the start of each legislative session. The Office of Policy and Legal Analysis shall provide staff support to the committee, and annually by January 15th the committee shall report to the Governor, the Legislative Council and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court about the state of Maine's freedom of access laws and the public's access to public proceedings and records.

The bill establishes the Public Access Ombudsman within the Department of the Attorney General. The ombudsman provides information and educational materials to the public and public agencies and officials. The ombudsman will respond to inquiries, resolve freedom of access complaints when possible and issue guidelines concerning Maine's freedom of access laws. The ombudsman will work with the Freedom of Access Advisory Committee to provide interpretive and educational materials and programs. The ombudsman will make recommendations to the Legislature and the Freedom of Access Advisory Committee concerning ways to improve public access to public records and public proceedings.

The ombudsman may request the assistance of any public agency or official in carrying out these responsibilities. Public agencies and officials shall cooperate with and provide assistance to the ombudsman.