The Public Information Act Compliance Board hears complaints involving the imposition of fees under the Act. Specifically, a requester who is assessed a fee of more than $350 may file a complaint with the Board if the requester believes that the fee is unreasonable. The Board will issue a written opinion and, if the Board finds that the custodian charged an unreasonable fee, may order the custodian to reduce the fee to a reasonable amount or refund the excessive portion of a fee that was paid.
The Board cannot decide complaints that involve fees of less than $350, a custodian’s decision to deny a fee waiver request, or that arise out of a government custodian's handling of a PIA request. Disputes involving these issues and other aspects of the PIA may be referred to the Public Access Ombudsman for mediation.
The PIA Compliance Board is an independent State entity, and its five members are appointed by the Governor. Although the PIA Compliance Board is not part of the Office of the Attorney General, this Office provides it with administrative staff and legal advice and also publishes its opinions and notices on this website. The PIA Compliance Board has no office or budget of its own.
Board Members:
John H. West, III, Esq., Chair Larry E. Effingham Deborah F. Moore-Carter René C. Swafford, Esq. Darren S. Wigfield
Staff:
Jeff Hochstetler, Assistant Attorney General, Counsel Janice Clark, Administrator
Before submitting a complaint to the PIA Compliance Board, please read the Compliance Board's Complaint ProceduresIn addition, the Office of the Attorney General's Public Information Act Manual discusses fees in Chapter 7. See the entire Manual here.
Final Report on the PIA
All meeting dates will be posted under "Meeting Notices" below. The PIA Compliance Board will meet on a rolling basis as necessary to deliberate on complaints. Meetings may be held in person or by conference call. Members of the public who are interested in attending those meetings or joining the conference call should check this webpage frequently for notices or sign up for e-mail notifications. Sign-up requests may be sent to piaopengov@oag.state.md.us.
The PIA Compliance Board will hold an annual meeting between July 1 and September 25 of each year. When necessary, the Board may hold special meetings during the General Assembly's legislative session to respond to requests from the Legislature for comments on pending legislation. Special meetings during a legislative session (generally, mid-January through early April) sometimes must be called on short notice. All meeting notices will be posted below.
The Public Information Act Compliance Board held its 2020 Annual Meeting at 10:30 am on July 29 as an on-line Microsoft Teams Live event. The Public was invited to attend.
If you are interested in receiving email notifications about future meetings of the PIACB, please contact Janice Clark at piaopengov@oag.state.md.us.
FY2019 | FY2018 | FY2017 | FY2016
PIACB, meeting, August 19, 2019; Minutes, Agenda, Audio Minutes
PIACB, meeting, September 5, 2018: Minutes
PIACB Annual Meeting, August 7, 2018: Audio Minutes, Agenda, Written Minutes
PIACB, meeting, September 15, 2017: Minutes
PIACB Annual Meeting, August 9, 2017: Minutes, Agenda
PIACB meeting, September 26, 2016: Minutes,
PIACB Annual Meeting, September 12, 2016: Minutes, Agenda
PIACB meeting, Feb. 10, 2016: Minutes, Agenda
By mail: Public Information Act Compliance Boardc/o Office of the Attorney General200 St. Paul PlaceBaltimore, Maryland 21202
By phone: (410) 576-6560By email: piaopengov@oag.state.md.us
1-888-373-7888
233733
