WAC 458-276-055 — Review of Denials of Public Records Requests—Department's Process—Attorney General and Court Review

Agency filings affecting this section (1) Requestor's petition. Any person who objects to the full or partial denial of a public records request may petition the department of revenue (department) in writing (including by email message) to the public records officer or designee for prompt review of such decision. The petition shall include a copy of the full or partial denial received by the requestor. (2) Prompt review. After receiving a written request for review of a decision denying a public record, the public records officer or designee denying the request will refer it to the public records officer's supervisor for review. The petition will be reviewed promptly within two business days following the department's receipt of the petition or within such other time as the department and the requestor may mutually agree. Such approval or disapproval shall constitute final department action for purposes of review under RCW 42.56.530 . (3) Attorney general office's review. Pursuant to RCW 42.56.530 , if the department denies a requestor access to public records because it claims the record is exempt in whole or in part from disclosure, the requestor may request that the attorney general's office review the matter. The attorney general has adopted rules on such requests in WAC 44-06-160 . (4) Court review. 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 review under this rule. [Statutory Authority: RCW 82.01.060 (2) and chapter 42.56 RCW. WSR 15-01-105, amended and recodified as § 458-276-055, filed 12/18/14, effective 1/18/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.250 . WSR 78-02-064 (Order GT 78-1), § 458-276-070, filed 1/23/78.]