CONNECTICUT FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION

___________________

Notice of Declaratory Ruling Proceeding

___________________

The Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission hereby gives notice of its intention to hold hearings prior to issuance of a declaratory ruling concerning e-mail and voicemail pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. §4-176. The proposed ruling would specifically address the following issues:

1. Are e-mail and voice mail communications public records?

2. Do e-mail and voice mail communications need to be retained?

3. Is the public entitled to access e-mail and voice mail communications upon request?

4. Do e-mail and voice mail communications constitute a meeting under the FOI Act?

5. If e-mail and voice mail communications constitute a public meeting, is it possible to conduct such a meeting in a manner that complies with the FOI Act?

All persons seeking status to participate must petition the Commission by December 5, 2002. All requests seeking status to participate in this matter shall be submitted in writing in accordance with §4-176(d) of the Connecticut General Statutes, and all filings to be submitted to the Commission shall be sent to:

Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission

18-20 Trinity Street, First Floor, Suite 100

Hartford, CT 06106

A hard copy of the proposed declaratory ruling may be obtained by contacting the Commission at the above address or you may obtain an electronic copy by visiting our Website at www.state.ct.us/foi.

It is anticipated that the Commission will rule on petitions for status by January 6, 2003. Participants will be asked to pre-file their testimony no later than three weeks prior to the public hearing.

Very truly yours,

Mitchell W. Pearlman Executive Director