(1) Any person who objects to the office's denial of a request for a public record may petition for prompt review of such decision by tendering a written request for review to the public records officer. The written request shall specifically refer to the written statement by the public records officer or other staff member which constituted or accompanied the denial.

(2) Immediately after receiving a written request for review of a decision denying a public record, the public records officer or other staff member denying the request shall refer it to the attorney general or his or her designated deputy attorney general. The attorney general or his or her designee shall immediately consider the matter and either affirm or reverse such denial within two business days following the receipt of the written request for review of the denial of the public record.

(3) Administrative remedies shall not be considered exhausted until the attorney general or the designated deputy attorney general has returned the petition with a decision or until the close of the second business day following receipt of the written request for review of the denial of the public record, whichever occurs first.

(4) 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.