New bills would require Maine officials to show up for meetings

AUGUSTA — Some lawmakers want to make sure that elected officials show up in person to public meetings.

Two bills set for a public hearing Tuesday would no longer allow some officials to use phones or other technology to participate in public meetings remotely.

The Legislature’s Right to Know Advisory Committee has expressed concern that elected officials should have face-to-face contact with the public and each other at meetings.

Remote participation is now allowed for seven appointed bodies including the Finance Authority of Maine, the state ethics commission and the Workers’ Compensation Board.

One bill would stop allowing such remote participation by July 1, 2020.

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