(2)__With respect to scientific, financial or statistical information, identify the supporting data and models;

(3)__With respect to influential scientific, financial or statistical information, ensure full, accurate and transparent documentation about data and methods to facilitate reproducibility of results; and

(4)__Identify and disclose error sources affecting the information.

If information has been subjected to formal, independent, external peer review, that information is presumed to be objective.__This presumption is rebuttable upon a persuasive showing to the contrary.

If an agency-sponsored peer review is used to satisfy the objectivity standard, the review process used must meet generally accepted criteria for competent and credible peer review.

B.__To assess the utility of information, the agency must consider the transparency of the data and methods, if relevant, and consider the potential uses of the information, including potential uses by the public.

C.__To assess the integrity of information, the agency must consider the specific steps taken to protect the information from corruption, revision or falsification.

3.__Review of quality of information.__Each state agency shall develop a process for reviewing the quality of information before that information is used as evidence in a rule-making proceeding under this chapter.

Sec. 2. Application. This Act applies to rule-making proceedings that begin on or after October 1, 2003.

SUMMARY

This bill requires state agencies to establish standards of objectivity, utility and integrity for information used and relied upon in conducting rule-making proceedings under the Maine Administrative Procedure Act.