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MaineLD 1813132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)House

An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Right to Know Advisory Committee Concerning State Boards and Commissions

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Became Law

FREEDOM OF ACCESSFREEDOM OF ACCESS - PUBLIC RECORDS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Faster responses to public records requests

Starting June 8, 2025, every agency, county, city, school unit, and covered board or commission names an existing employee as its public access officer. That officer ensures each request is acknowledged within 5 working days and gives a good‑faith estimate of when the full answer will be ready. Bodies must acknowledge and respond even when a request is not sent to the public access officer. One employee may serve several boards or commissions in the same office.

Mandatory open-records training for officials

Starting June 8, 2025, many Maine officials must complete open‑records training within 120 days of taking office or being named a public access officer. The course takes under 2 hours and covers the law, how to handle requests, and penalties for not following the rules. The Governor; statewide officers; legislators elected after Nov. 1, 2008; county and municipal officials; school leaders; and members of boards and commissions under Title 5, chapter 379 are included. Each person must keep a written or electronic record showing the training and date, filed with the right office. Officials may meet the requirement by thoroughly reviewing the State’s online guidance that covers these topics.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 187

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    5/27/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/27/2025House

  4. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-163) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-163), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    5/21/2025Senate

  5. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-163).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/20/2025House

  6. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.On motion by Senator Carney of Cumberland REFERRED to the Committee on Judiciary and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 218, in concurrence.

    4/29/2025Senate

  7. Representative KUHN for the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 1, section 411, subsection 6, paragraph G reports that the Bill be REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY and printed pursuant to Joint Rule 218.Report was READ and ACCEPTED.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARYSent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/29/2025House

Bill Text

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