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Guam - Senator Rory Respicio has announced that his proposed Freedom of Information Council was "officially adopted" Friday.

Guam - Senator Rory Respicio has announced that his proposed Freedom of Information Council was "officially adopted" Friday.

Legislative Riles Resolution 330-32(COR) proposes the establishment of  "the Guam Legislative Freedom of Information Advisory Council" in order to encourage compliance with the Freedom of Information Act.

The resolution proposes the establishment of a 12 member council including the Attorney General of Guam, representatives of the media, the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government as well as members of the General Public.

The names of the members have not yet been announced.

In a release, Senator Respicio is quoted as saying that "within one month this Council will be in place and will offer our people more access to their government."

READ the release from Seantor Respicio below:

Respicio FOIA Council Approved

March 16, 2014– Senator Rory J. Respicio's FOIA Council has been officially adopted.

"Open government is good government and this FOIA Council will take the lead in protecting everyone's right to an open and transparent government," Respicio said.

Legislative Rules Resolution 330-32(COR) establishes the Guam Legislative Freedom of Information Advisory Council to encourage and facilitate compliance with the Freedom of Information Act. The resolution was introduced last week and adopted on Friday.

"I am pleased with the adoption as this new council will help shine light into dark areas of our government," Respicio said. "Residents of Guam will now have a group to turn to for help when they are not being provided information about our government."

The Guam Legislative Freedom of Information Advisory Council will consist of 12 members including the Attorney General of Guam, representatives of the media, the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government as well as members of the General Public. Within one month this Council will be in place and will offer our people more access to their government.

The Council will identify which government of Guam agencies are not in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act and the Open Government Law and they will issue advisories and opinions. The Council also will provide public training on the local open government laws and will publish documents and guidelines as needed. Members will also review all local laws and make suggestions for changes in legislation to make our government more open and transparent to the people of Guam.

"Our government is lacking in transparency and openness and the people of Guam deserve to have a free and open government to serve them," Respicio said. "The public's right to know is sacred and this FOIA Council will ensure that those rights are always protected."

Respicio said members will be appointed early in the week. A meeting will be held once members have been appointed and accepted. All meetings will be announced pursuant to the open government law, broadcast live on the legislature's channel, and open to the public.