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Searching 2011-2012 Session

2011-2012 Session

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Public Records Legislative Study Committee

Print

Previous Meetings - Full Report

Summary Report

Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
CDs
11-1,2,3,4
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Convene

9:35 AM

Review Act No. 59 Statutory Charge

  • Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
10:00 AM

Nominate; Elect Co-Chairs

10:10 AM

Staff Time Charge for Inspection/Copy of Public Records

  • Rep. Donna Sweaney, House Committee On Government Operations
  • Sen. Jeanette K. White, Putney
10:25 AM

Municipal Appointment of Records Officer

  • Brian Leven, Deputy Secretary, Secretary of State's Office
10:45 AM

Break

11:00 AM

Review of Public Records Act Exemptions

  • Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
11:30 AM

Identification/Prioritization of Exemptions for Committee Review

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Public Records and Government Contracts; Review of Laws in Other States

  • Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
1:30 PM

Testimony of Interested Parties

  • Conor Casey, Legislative Liaison, Vermont State Employees Association
  • Allen Gilbert, Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union
  • Andy McLean, McLean, Meehan & Rice
  • Beth Robinson, Legal Counsel, Office of the Governor
  • Julie Tessler, Director, Vermont Council of Developmental and Mental Health Services
  • Susan Zeller, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Finance & Management

Thursday, September 8, 2011
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
CDs
11-5,6,7,8,9,
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Convene

9:35 AM

Review List of Exemptions that Do Not Require Committee Review

  • Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
10:00 AM

Witness Testimony of List of Exemptions

  • Allen Gilbert, Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union
  • Jack Hoffman, Analyst, Public Assets Institute
  • Paul Hudson, (Retired Judge)
  • Melanie Kehne, Natural Resources Board
  • Cynthia Webster, Director, Retirement Policy Outreach
  • Gered Williams, UVM Student
  • Susan Zeller, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Finance & Management
10:30 AM

Category of Exemptions for Review: Identify categories and Witnesses

12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Definition of right to privacy in other states

2:00 PM

Contracts and the PRA

3:30 PM

Schedule Next Meeting

3:35 PM

Adjourn


Thursday, October 13, 2011
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
Comments
Subject: Tax Exemptions
CDs
11-10,11,12,13
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Tax Record Exemptions

  • Molly Bachman, General Counsel, Department of Taxes
  • David Fielding, Treasurer, Manchester
  • Allen Gilbert, Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union
  • Peter Griffin, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  • Steve Jeffrey, Executive Director, Vermont League of Cities and Towns
  • Karen Lafayette, Lobbyist, City Of Burlington
  • Brian Leven, Legal Counsel, Secretary of State's Office
  • Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  • John O'Keefe, Town Manager, Manchester
12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Committee Discussion

(Tax Record Exemption)

1:30 PM

Discussion of "private information" language

(Committee Discussion)

  • Mike Donaghue, Vermont Press Association
  • Allen Gilbert, Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union
  • Peter Griffin, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  • Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  • John O'Keefe, Town Manager, Manchester
  • Beth Robinson, Legal Counsel, Office of the Governor

Thursday, November 17, 2011
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
CDs
11-14, 15,16,17
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Health Care Related Exemptions

  • Dirk Anderson, Counsel, Department of Labor
  • Francis "Paco" Aumond, Director, Division of Criminal Justice Services, Vermont Department of Public Safety
  • Susan Gretkowski, Lobbyist, MVP Healthcare
  • Susan Harritt, Assistant Attorney General, Agency of Human Services
  • Dixie Henry, Principal Assistant to the Commissioner, Department of Health
  • Robin Lunge, Director of Health Care Reform, Agency of Administration
  • Clifford Peterson, General Counsel, Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities & Health Care Administration
  • Bessie Weiss, AAG, Department of Health
12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Health Care Related Exemptions (cont.)

  • Allen Gilbert, Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union
  • Kathy Kilcourse, Director, VT People with AIDS Coalition
  • TBA Other
  • Virginia Renfrew, Lobbyist, Network Against Domestic & Sexual Violence
  • Charles Storrow, Lobbyist, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Vermont
1:30 PM

Applicability of Public Records to Agency Government Contractors

  • James Caffry, Esq., Caffry Law, PLLC
2:00 PM

Draft Language re: Confidentiality of Property Taxes Adjustment

  • Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
2:30 PM

Committee Discussion re: next meetings date and agenda

3:00 PM

Adjourn


Thursday, December 15, 2011
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
CDs
09-1
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Review of 1 V.S.A § 317 (c)(23):

Exemption for records of UVM or state college faculty or students produced or acquired in the conduct of study, research or creative efforts

  • JoAnne Bourbeau, Senior State Director - VT/NH, Humane Society of US (by phone)
  • Dr. A John Bramley, UVM Interim President, (by Phone)
  • Dr. Domenico Grasso, Vice-President for Research and Dean of the Graduate College, University of Vermont
  • Lori Kettler
  • Dr. Lance Polya
  • Gerard Williams
11:00 AM

Review of Committee Recommendation Regarding Tax Records

  • Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
12:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Review of Draft Recommendations Regarding Health Care Records Exemptions

  • Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  • Clifford Peterson, General Counsel, Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities & Health Care Administration
  • Bessie Weiss, Department of Health
2:00 PM

Review of Draft Recommendation re: Personal Information Exemption

  • Barry Kade, Attorney, prisoner advocate
  • Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
2:30 PM

Review Report of Draft Recommendations for 2012

  • Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council

Friday, January 6, 2012
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
CDs
09-1
Meeting Record
8:00 AM

Review Final Interim Report

Committee Discussion

  • Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council

Friday, September 28, 2012
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
CDs
12-2, 3, 4, 5
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Introductions and Discussion

Staff introductions, review of charge, and prior year business

  • Helena Gardner, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  • Agatha Kessler, Supervisor of Committee Services, Office of Legislative Council
  • Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
10:00 AM

Review of New Exemptions

Review of a Proposed House and Senate Rule Regarding the Government Operations Committees; Review of New Exemptions

  • Helena Gardner, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  • Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
10:30 AM

Secretary of State Act No. 59 Survey Report

Municipal Response to Public Records Requests

  • Brian Leven, Deputy Secretary, Secretary of State's Office
11:15 AM

Schedule Future Meetings

11:30 AM

Lunch

12:30 PM

Public Records Exemptions

  • Tom Candon, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Financial Regulation
  • Helena Gardner, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  • Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  • Clifford Peterson, General Counsel, Department of Financial Regulation
3:00 PM

Adjourn


Friday, October 19, 2012
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
CDs
12-6, 7, 8, 9
Meeting Record
9:30 AM

Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

Confidentiality of Records Related to Medical Marijuana Dispensary Applications

  • Francis Aumand, Director, Division of Criminal Justice Services, Department of Public Safety
  • Allen Gilbert, Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont
  • Tom Kearney, Managing Editor, Stowe Reporter and Waterbury Record
  • Shayne Lynn, Executive Director, Champlain Valley Dispensary
  • Virginia Renfrew, Lobbyist, People with AIDS Coalition
10:45 AM

Committee Discussion

  • Helena Gardner, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  • Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
11:30 AM

Public Records Exemptions

Human Services-related Exemptions

  • Helena Gardner, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  • Sarah Kenney, Associate Director of Public Policy, Vermont Network Against Sexual and Domestic Violence
  • Brian Leven, Deputy Secretary, Secretary of State's Office
  • Jackie Majoros, Long Care Ombudsman, Vermont Legal Aid
11:50 AM

Draft Legislation

Eliminating Secretary of State Report; General Exemption for Noncriminal, Regulatory Investigations

  • Helena Gardner, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
12:00 PM

Lunch

12:30 PM

Public Records Exemptions

Human Services-related Exemptions

  • Robin Arnell, Supervising Attorney, Vermont Office of Child Support, Department for Children & Families
  • Jennifer Carbee, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  • Martha Csala, Assistant Attorney General, Department for Children & Families
  • Helena Gardner, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  • Susan Harritt, Assistant Attorney General, Legal Division Chief, Agency of Human Services
  • Dena Monahan, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Mental Health
  • Allan Ruggles, Assistant Attorney General, Attorney General's Office
  • Stuart Schurr, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living
  • Bessie Weiss, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Health
3:00 PM

Adjourn


Friday, November 30, 2012
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
CDs
12-10, 11, 12, 13
Meeting Record
10:30 AM

Public Records Exemptions

Remaining Human Services Exemption (continued from 10/19/12 meeting), 15 V.S.A. §1140

  • Amy Fitzgerald, Assistant Attorney General, Attorney General's Office
  • Allen Gilbert, Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont
10:45 AM

Public Records Exemptions

Education-Related Exemptions

  • Helena Gardner, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  • Tom Little, Vice-President and General Counsel, Vermont Student Assistance Corporation
  • Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  • Mark Oettinger, General Counsel, Department of Education
  • Donna Russo-Savage, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
11:30 AM

Public Records Exemptions

Commerce-Related Exemptions

  • Betsy Bishop, President, Vermont Chamber of Commerce
  • Julie Kelliher, General Counsel, Department of Economic, Housing & Community Development
  • John Kessler, General Counsel, Agency of Commerce and Community Development
  • Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
12:30 PM

Lunch

1:30 PM

Public Records Exemptions

Energy/Public Service-Related Exemptions

  • Laurence Becker, State Geologist, Agency of Natural Resources
  • Joe Choquette, Downs Rachlin Martin, Vermont Petroleum Association
  • Geoff Commons, Director of Public Advocacy, Department of Public Service
  • Helena Gardner, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  • Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
2:00 PM

Public Records Exemptions

Corrections-Related Exemptions

  • Dominic Damato, Corrections Facilities Operations Manager, Department of Corrections
  • Barry Kade, Prisoner Rights Advocate
  • Robert LaRose, Assistant Attorney General
  • Seth Lipschutz , Supervising Attorney, Prisoners' Rights Office, Office of the Defender General
3:00 PM

Committee Discussion

  • Helena Gardner, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  • Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council

Friday, December 14, 2012
Meeting Details
Hearing Type
Standard
CDs
12-14, 15, 16
Meeting Record
9:45 AM

Public Records Exemptions

Correspondence with DFR and AHS regarding exemptions

  • Helena Gardner, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  • Allen Gilbert, Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont
  • Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
10:00 AM

Public Records Exemptions

Review of draft 2012 table of exemptions and recommendations;
Committee discussion and public comment

  • Keith Jones, Attorney, Primmer, Piper, Eggleston & Cramer
11:15 AM

Public Records Exemptions

Department of Financial Regulation-related exemptions

  • Susan Donegan, Commissioner, Department of Financial Regulation
  • Helena Gardner, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  • Clifford Peterson, General Counsel, Department of Financial Regulation
11:45 AM

Public Records Exemptions

Checklist for review of public records exemptions

  • Helena Gardner, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
  • Michael O'Grady, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Council
12:00 PM

Review Committee's Other Recommendations

Repeal Acts and Resolves No. 59 § 14 (survey of municipalities); amend APA to require identification of exemptions created by rules; proposal for Government Operation Committee review of bills creating exemptions; recommend that committees of jurisdiction clarify medical marijuana rulemaking regarding registrant confidentiality

12:30 PM

Committee Report

Process for approving and finalizing January 15, 2013 report

12:45 PM

Lunch, followed by further committee discussion as needed

1:30 PM

Committee Discussion

2:20 PM

Adjourn


2011-2012 Session

Change Session

Select a session
Public Records Legislative Study Committee
  • Main Committee Page
  • Document Search
  • Previous Meetings
Members
  • Rep. Donna Sweaney, Co-Chair
  • Sen. Jeanette K. White, Co-Chair
  • Sen. Claire Ayer
  • Sen. Peg Flory
  • Rep. Ronald E. Hubert
  • Rep. Linda J. Martin
  • Information for Witnesses
  • List of Witnesses

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