Sen. Richard Rosen, a Bucksport Republican, was recognized for his efforts to keep government open and accessible in his role as Senate chairman of the budget-reviewing Appropriations Committee.

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) _ A state senator from Bucksport has received the Maine Freedom of Information Coalition's annual Sunshine Award for his efforts to keep government information open and accessible to the public.

Sen. Richard Rosen was recognized for his efforts in his role as Senate chairman of the budget-reviewing Appropriations Committee. Rosen, a Republican, was instrumental in securing funding for an ombudsman's position in the attorney general's office to handle complaints about implementation of Maine's open access law.

Rosen also sponsored legislation to clarify procedures for public information requests and requires each government agency to appoint and train an employee to be its "public access officer.''

Rosen received the coalition's 2012 Sunshine Award at a news conference today at the State House.