AGO 1996-170.

• Case Date: April 01, 1996
• Court: Alabama

Alabama Attorney General Opinions 1996. AGO 1996-170. 1996-170April 1, 1996Honorable Miriam Shehane Chairperson Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission P.O. Box 1548 Montgomery, Alabama 36102 Crime Victims Compensation Commission - Compensation - Victims - Public Information - Public Records Members of the Crime Victims Compensation Commission are to be paid $30.00 for each day's attendance at Commission meetings, regular or called. Documents of the Crime Victims Compensation Commission are public records except as provided by Code of Alabama 1975, _ 15-23-4(j) and _ 15-23-5(4).Dear Mrs. Shehane: This opinion is issued in response to your request for an opinion from the Attorney General. QUESTION I Are members of the Crime Victims Compensation Commission entitled to be paid $30.00 per day pursuant to Code of Alabama 1975, _ 15-23-4(m) for called meetings of the Commission? FACTS AND ANALYSIS The Crime Victims Compensation Commission is required by statute to hold monthly public meetings on the second Thursday of each month and "other meetings at such times and places as its members may elect." Code of Alabama 1975, _ 15-23-4(g). The Commission members are paid $30.00 per day and mileage for attendance of Commission meetings. Code of Alabama 1975, _ 15-23-4(g). The enabling statutes do not limit the payment of $30.00 per day and mileage to the regular meetings. Such payments are due for every day of attendance of Commission meetings, regular or called. CONCLUSION Members of the Crime Victims Compensation Commission are to be paid $30.00, as provided in Code of Alabama 1975, _ 15-23-4(m), for each day's attendance at Commission meetings, regular or called. . QUESTION II Is it your opinion that a document generated by the Crime Victims Compensation Commission staff may be determined to be confidential and not subject to public disclosure? FACTS AND ANALYSIS A situation has occurred where the Commission denied a claim for compensation. The victim's attorney has requested that the Commission furnish to him a copy of the Summary of Fact document upon which the Commission reached its decision. The Commission believes that this document is confidential. The records of the Commission are public with very limited exceptions. Code of Alabama 1975, _ 15-23-4(j) provides that the records of the Commission shall be open to...