AUGUSTA – Senate President Beverly Daggett, D-Kennebec County, has named Sen. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, as chairwoman of the newly formed Committee to Study Compliance with Maine’s Freedom of Access Laws.

The Legislature this year established the committee after an audit showed a widespread lack of understanding and uneven compliance on the part of agencies with freedom of access responsibilities, such as municipalities, school departments and police departments.

Freedom of access laws require very broad access to information, calling for such things as the minutes of public meetings and contract information to be available to the public with no questions asked.

“I am very proud to appoint Sen. Rotundo to this important study,” Daggett said. “Access to public records and public proceedings by the people is essential to successful democracy. We must continually strive to maintain laws that are best suited to achieving this goal. Sen. Rotundo is a steadfast voice in the Legislature for protecting the rights of Maine citizens and for preserving the openness of Maine’s institutions. I know good work will be done by this committee and I look forward to seeing the results.”

The committee will consist of 16 members, including representatives of the press, law enforcement, municipalities, school districts and the public. The committee will study the manner in which these laws are being complied with and make recommendations for improving compliance, including proposing legislation if the committee feels it is necessary. It will meet approximately four times starting on Nov. 19, and report to the State and Local Government Committee of the Legislature next year.

Rotundo is serving in her second term in the Senate, where she chairs the State and Local Government Committee as well as serving on the Appropriations Committee. She also works at the Bates College Center for Service Learning.

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