PDFWAC 44-06-120

Review of denials of public records requests, estimates of time, estimates of costs.

(1) The requestor is encouraged to communicate with the public records officer or assigned designee regarding denials of public records requests, estimates of time, or estimates of costs. If the requestor remains unsatisfied, the requestor may seek formal review of the issue.
(2) Any person who objects to the office's denial or partial denial of a request for a public record, or contends an estimate of time to provide records or copying costs to provide records is not reasonable, may petition for prompt review of such decision by submitting a written request for a formal internal administrative review to the public records officer.
(3) The written request for formal review shall specifically refer to the written statement by the public records officer or designee which constituted or accompanied the denial or estimate.
(4) The request for formal review is to be directed to:
Public Records Unit
Office of the Attorney General
1125 Washington Street S.E.
P.O. Box 40100
Olympia, WA 98504-0100
publicrecords@atg.wa.gov
(5) After receiving a written request for formal review of a decision denying a public record or estimate, the public records officer or designee denying the request shall refer it to the designated deputy attorney general or public records counsel. The office will, within two business days following receipt of written request, respond with an estimate of time to consider the matter. Following such review, the deputy attorney general or public records counsel will either affirm, reverse, or amend the denial or estimate.
(6) For purposes of WAC 44-06-160, the office shall have concluded a public record is exempt from disclosure only after the review conducted under this section has been completed.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 42.56.040, 42.56.100, 42.56.070, 42.56.120, 43.10.110, and 34.05.310 - 34.05.395. WSR 20-08-115, § 44-06-120, filed 3/31/20, effective 5/1/20. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.10.110, chapters 42.17, 19.118 and 34.05 RCW. WSR 94-13-039, § 44-06-120, filed 6/6/94, effective 7/7/94. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.250 through 42.17.320. WSR 84-10-031 (Order 103), § 44-06-120, filed 4/30/84; Order 102, § 44-06-120, filed 2/20/74.]