Sec. 1. 1 MRSA §410, as repealed and replaced by PL 1987, c. 477, §6, is amended to read:

§410. Violations

For every willful violation of this subchapter, the state government agency or local government entity whose officer or employee committed the violation shall be is liable for a civil violation for which a forfeiture of not more than $500 may be adjudged.

An action may be brought under this section by the Attorney General or a district attorney.__Any other person may bring an action under this section if the Attorney General fails to bring an action within 30 days after receiving a written complaint alleging a violation of this subchapter.__Any forfeiture imposed in such an action is payable to the State.

SUMMARY

This bill allows a person other than the Attorney General or a district attorney to bring an action to enforce the freedom of access laws if the Attorney General fails to bring an action within 30 days after receiving a complaint of a violation. Any civil forfeiture recovered in the action is paid to the State, not to the person bringing the action.