A bill proposed by a freshman lawmaker is advancing through the committee process. There was a vote to draft this month on a bill aiming to reduce frivolous complaints to the state Freedom of Information Commission. Redding Representative Adam Dunsby has proposed a $125 fee for filing two or more complaints with the commission each year. He says someone filing 10s or 100s of requests are not interested in records, but rather in harassing public officials.
Dunsby, who also serves as Easton First Selectman, says there should be a complaint process that doesn't discourage people who have conviction that they have a legal issue. Dunsby says one person has filed 135 complaints, not requests for information, over the last two years.
The President of the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information agrees there is a problem that needs to be addressed, but believes the fine is too harsh. He says the proposal would undermine free citizen access to the FOIC.
State FOIC executive Director Colleen Murphy opposes the proposal, saying it will discourage people who are filing legitimate complaints. Murphy says there may be a more narrow approach that can be taken.
