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MaineLD 1827132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)House

An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Right to Know Advisory Committee Concerning Public Records Requests

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: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Faster public records denials and appeals

When an agency refuses your request to see or copy a public record, it must send a written denial within 5 working days. The notice must give the reason or say the request will be denied in full or in part after review. If the agency does not send this notice on time, the law treats it as a refusal to provide records. You can appeal the denial.

Court process for burdensome requests

An agency can ask the Superior Court in the county where you made the request to limit or deny a request that is unduly burdensome or oppressive. It must file within 60 days of getting the request or being notified it is burdensome. The filing must include the request terms, a good‑faith time and cost estimate, steps taken to narrow the request, and proof of a notice sent at least 10 days before filing. The agency must share these details with the parties within 14 days unless the court orders otherwise. Your appeal can be combined with the agency’s case, and the court can give the case priority when justice requires. If the court finds good cause, it sets limits and terms for any records. If not, it sets a date for the agency to provide the records.

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 175

    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-244) 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-244), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    5/22/2025Senate

  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-244).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/22/2025House

  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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