Nov 10, 2021 meeting of the Right To Know Advisory Committee. AUDIO Topic: Public Records Exceptions

Audio from the November 10, 2021 meeting of Maine's Legislatures'  Right to Know Advisory Committee's  new  Subcommittee on Public Records Exceptions   

Meeting Purpose:  Updates on  existing  state laws & rules on FOAA  fee waivers .  (When  should agencies not charge for responding to a FOAA letter? (1) When requester is indigent. (2) When  the info will help the public understand how their govt operates. But some agencies state they "they don't do waivers". Is that lawful?

RECORDINGS 

1.  Introductions by subcommittee members   3min 41sec

2. Colleen  McCarthy OPLA analyst on fee waiver process in other states. 6min 50sec. 

3, Colleen McCarthy QA 11min

4. Brenda Kielty, FOAA ombudsman, AG's office 6min 5sec

5. Brenda Kielty Q&A  14min

6. Discussion part 1.  14min 30sec

(more to come)

Attendees at the RTK's Subcommittee meeting

PUBLIC INTEREST

Justin Cianette (sp?) for the public,
Jim Campbell MFOIC, ME Freedom of information coalition

MEDIA
Judy Myer, Lewiston Sun Journal
Lynda Clancy,  Pen Bay Pilot news
Amy Beveridge Me Assoc B'casters,

LOCAL GOVT
Linda Cohen Town mg Montmouth- local government,
Vicky Walloch, School boards,

Neil  Goldberg, Maine Municipal Association

LAW ENFORCEMENT
Chris Parr, staff atty Maine State Police. 
STATE GOVT

Rep Tom Harnet committee  chair,
Senator Anne Carney, So Portland, jud comm
Kevin Martin MDEP,
Julie Finn Me Judicial Branch.
Jonathan Bolton Atty General's office,

Brenda Kielty FOAA Ombudsman , AG's office.
Kate McBrien State Archives

Eric Stout Informaton Tech expert.   

OPLA staff Peggy Reinch, Colleen Reed McCarthy & Rachel Olson

Background   The Advisory Committee is required by law to review of existing public records exceptions in Titles 8 through 12 during 2021  The state FOAA ombusdsman Brenda Kielty  pafrticpates in the meetings too

Current law relating to fee waivers, 1 MRSA Section 408-A, subsection 11  

Draft amendment to 1 MRSA Section 408-A, subsection 11 previously considered by RTKAC Improve FOAA Subcommittee in 2019 

 (not recommended to full committee or considered by full committee)
Email received from Ken Capron