(1)(a) Any person who has been denied an opportunity to inspect or copy a public record by the department, or who believes that the department has not made a reasonable estimate of the time required to respond to a public record request, or who believes the department has not made a reasonable estimate of charges to produce copies of public records, may petition the department for prompt review of its decision.

(b) The petition shall be in writing and shall include a copy of, or reasonably identify, the written statement by the public disclosure officer denying the request or providing the estimate.

(c) The petition shall be sent to the public disclosure officer who shall promptly provide the petition and any other relevant information to the department official designated by the department to conduct the review.

(2) The designated official will immediately consider the petition and either affirm or reverse the denial or the estimate.

(3) Administrative remedies shall not be considered exhausted until the department has returned the petition with a decision or until the close of the second business day following denial of inspection, whichever occurs first.

(4) Any person may obtain court review of denials of public records requests pursuant to RCW 42.56.550 at the conclusion of two business days after the initial denial regardless of any internal administrative appeal.