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First Substitute S.B. 44

Senator Carlene M. Walker proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
GOVERNMENT RECORDS AMENDMENTS

             2     
2005 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Sponsor: Carlene M. Walker

             5     
             6      LONG TITLE
             7      General Description:
             8          This bill modifies provisions of the Government Records Access and Management Act.
             9      Highlighted Provisions:
             10          This bill:
             11          .    modifies the definition of "person" under the Government Records Access and
             12      Management Act to include combinations of individuals or entities acting in
             13      concert;
             14          .    modifies the definition of "record" under the act to include only references to the
             15      singular and to clarify its relation to the definition of "record series";
             16          .    allows government entities to sequentially produce multiple record requests from
             17      persons serving their private interest;
             18          .    permits government entities to allow a person requesting records to personally make
             19      copies or to provide facilities for copying records in certain circumstances;
             20          .    requires government entities to supervise a person's copying of records to protect
             21      the public from the potential loss of public records;
             22          .    allows government entities to provide access to an electronic equivalent of a paper
             23      record;
             24          .    modifies language relating to appeals from records committee decisions to clarify
             25      that appeals are permitted by any party; and


             26          .    makes technical changes.
             27      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             28          None
             29      Other Special Clauses:
             30          None
             31      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             32      AMENDS:
             33          63-2-103, as last amended by Chapter 78, Laws of Utah 2002
             34          63-2-201, as last amended by Chapter 191, Laws of Utah 2002
             35          63-2-203, as last amended by Chapter 48, Laws of Utah 1999
             36          63-2-204, as last amended by Chapter 280, Laws of Utah 1992
             37          63-2-403, as last amended by Chapter 245, Laws of Utah 1999
             38          63-2-903, as last amended by Chapters 97 and 185, Laws of Utah 2002
             39     
             40      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             41          Section 1. Section 63-2-103 is amended to read:
             42           63-2-103. Definitions.
             43          As used in this chapter:
             44          (1) "Audit" means:
             45          (a) a systematic examination of financial, management, program, and related records
             46      for the purpose of determining the fair presentation of financial statements, adequacy of
             47      internal controls, or compliance with laws and regulations; or
             48          (b) a systematic examination of program procedures and operations for the purpose of
             49      determining their effectiveness, economy, efficiency, and compliance with statutes and
             50      regulations.
             51          (2) "Chronological logs" mean the regular and customary summary records of law
             52      enforcement agencies and other public safety agencies that show the time and general nature of
             53      police, fire, and paramedic calls made to the agency and any arrests or jail bookings made by
             54      the agency.
             55          (3) "Classification," "classify," and their derivative forms mean determining whether a
             56      record series, record, or information within a record is public, private, controlled, protected, or


             57      exempt from disclosure under Subsection 63-2-201 (3)(b).
             58          (4) (a) "Computer program" means a series of instructions or statements that permit the
             59      functioning of a computer system in a manner designed to provide storage, retrieval, and
             60      manipulation of data from the computer system, and any associated documentation and source
             61      material that explain how to operate the computer program.
             62          (b) "Computer program" does not mean:
             63          (i) the original data, including numbers, text, voice, graphics, and images;
             64          (ii) analysis, compilation, and other manipulated forms of the original data produced by
             65      use of the program; or
             66          (iii) the mathematical or statistical formulas (excluding the underlying mathematical
             67      algorithms contained in the program) that would be used if the manipulated forms of the
             68      original data were to be produced manually.
             69          (5) (a) "Contractor" means:
             70          (i) any person who contracts with a governmental entity to provide goods or services
             71      directly to a governmental entity; or
             72          (ii) any private, nonprofit organization that receives funds from a governmental entity.
             73          (b) "Contractor" does not mean a private provider.
             74          (6) "Controlled record" means a record containing data on individuals that is controlled
             75      as provided by Section 63-2-303 .
             76          (7) "Designation," "designate," and their derivative forms mean indicating, based on a
             77      governmental entity's familiarity with a record series or based on a governmental entity's
             78      review of a reasonable sample of a record series, the primary classification that a majority of
             79      records in a record series would be given if classified and the classification that other records
             80      typically present in the record series would be given if classified.
             81          (8) "Explosive" means a chemical compound, device, or mixture:
             82          (a) commonly used or intended for the purpose of producing an explosion; and
             83          (b) that contains oxidizing or combustive units or other ingredients in proportions,
             84      quantities, or packing so that:
             85          (i) an ignition by fire, friction, concussion, percussion, or detonator of any part of the
             86      compound or mixture may cause a sudden generation of highly heated gases; and
             87          (ii) the resultant gaseous pressures are capable of:


             88          (A) producing destructive effects on contiguous objects; or
             89          (B) causing death or serious bodily injury.
             90          (9) "Government audit agency" means any governmental entity that conducts [audits]
             91      an audit.
             92          (10) (a) "Governmental entity" means:
             93          (i) executive department agencies of the state, the offices of the governor, lieutenant
             94      governor, state auditor, attorney general, and state treasurer, the Board of Pardons and Parole,
             95      the Board of Examiners, the National Guard, the Career Service Review Board, the State Board
             96      of Education, the State Board of Regents, and the State Archives;
             97          (ii) the Office of the Legislative Auditor General, Office of the Legislative Fiscal
             98      Analyst, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, the Legislature, and legislative
             99      committees, except any political party, group, caucus, or rules or sifting committee of the
             100      Legislature;
             101          (iii) courts, the Judicial Council, the Office of the Court Administrator, and similar
             102      administrative units in the judicial branch;
             103          (iv) any state-funded institution of higher education or public education; or
             104          (v) any political subdivision of the state, but, if a political subdivision has adopted an
             105      ordinance or a policy relating to information practices pursuant to Section 63-2-701 , this
             106      chapter shall apply to the political subdivision to the extent specified in Section 63-2-701 or as
             107      specified in any other section of this chapter that specifically refers to political subdivisions.
             108          (b) "Governmental entity" also means every office, agency, board, bureau, committee,
             109      department, advisory board, or commission of [the entities] an entity listed in Subsection
             110      (10)(a) that is funded or established by the government to carry out the public's business.
             111          (11) "Gross compensation" means every form of remuneration payable for a given
             112      period to an individual for services provided including salaries, commissions, vacation pay,
             113      severance pay, bonuses, and any board, rent, housing, lodging, payments in kind, and any
             114      similar benefit received from the individual's employer.
             115          (12) "Individual" means a human being.
             116          (13) (a) "Initial contact report" means an initial written or recorded report, however
             117      titled, prepared by peace officers engaged in public patrol or response duties describing official
             118      actions initially taken in response to either a public complaint about or the discovery of an


             119      apparent violation of law, which report may describe:
             120          (i) the date, time, location, and nature of the complaint, the incident, or offense;
             121          (ii) names of victims;
             122          (iii) the nature or general scope of the agency's initial actions taken in response to the
             123      incident;
             124          (iv) the general nature of any injuries or estimate of damages sustained in the incident;
             125          (v) the name, address, and other identifying information about any person arrested or
             126      charged in connection with the incident; or
             127          (vi) the identity of the public safety personnel, except undercover personnel, or
             128      prosecuting attorney involved in responding to the initial incident.
             129          (b) Initial contact reports do not include follow-up or investigative reports prepared
             130      after the initial contact report. However, if the information specified in Subsection (13)(a)
             131      appears in follow-up or investigative reports, it may only be treated confidentially if it is
             132      private, controlled, protected, or exempt from disclosure under Subsection 63-2-201 (3)(b).
             133          (14) "Notice of compliance" means a statement confirming that a government entity
             134      has complied with a records committee order.
             135          [(14)] (15) "Person" means any individual, nonprofit or profit corporation, partnership,
             136      sole proprietorship, or other type of business organization, or any combination thereof, acting
             137      in concert with one another.
             138          [(15)] (16) "Private provider" means any person who contracts with a governmental
             139      entity to provide services directly to the public.
             140          [(16)] (17) "Private record" means a record containing data on individuals that is
             141      private as provided by Section 63-2-302 .
             142          [(17)] (18) "Protected record" means a record that is classified protected as provided by
             143      Section 63-2-304 .
             144          [(18)] (19) "Public record" means a record that is not private, controlled, or protected
             145      and that is not exempt from disclosure as provided in Subsection 63-2-201 (3)(b).
             146          [(19)] (20) (a) "Record" means [all books, letters, documents, papers, maps, plans,
             147      photographs, films, cards, tapes, recordings,] a book, letter, document, paper, map, plan,
             148      photograph, film, card, tape, recording, electronic data, or other documentary [materials]
             149      material regardless of physical form or characteristics:


             150          (i) [which are] that is prepared, owned, received, or retained by a governmental entity
             151      or political subdivision; and
             152          (ii) where all of the information in the original is reproducible by photocopy or other
             153      mechanical or electronic means.
             154          (b) "Record" does not mean:
             155          (i) a temporary [drafts] draft or similar [materials] material prepared for the originator's
             156      personal use or prepared by the originator for the personal use of an individual for whom [he]
             157      the originator is working;
             158          (ii) [materials] material that are legally owned by an individual in [his] the individual's
             159      private capacity;
             160          (iii) [materials] material to which access is limited by the laws of copyright or patent
             161      unless the copyright or patent is owned by a governmental entity or political subdivision;
             162          (iv) proprietary software;
             163          (v) junk mail or a commercial [publications] publication received by a governmental
             164      entity or an official or employee of a governmental entity;
             165          (vi) [books and other materials that are] a book that is cataloged, indexed, or
             166      inventoried and contained in the collections of [libraries] a library open to the public;
             167          (vii) material that is cataloged, indexed, or inventoried and contained in the collections
             168      of a library open to the public, regardless of physical form or characteristics of the material;
             169          [(vii)] (viii) a daily [calendars and] calendar or other personal [notes] note prepared by
             170      the originator for the originator's personal use or for the personal use of an individual for whom
             171      [he] the originator is working;
             172          [(viii)] (ix) a computer [programs as defined in Subsection (4) that are] program that is
             173      developed or purchased by or for any governmental entity for its own use; or
             174          [(ix) notes] (x) a note or internal [memoranda] memorandum prepared as part of the
             175      deliberative process by:
             176          (A) a member of the judiciary[,];
             177          (B) an administrative law judge[,];
             178          (C) a member of the Board of Pardons and Parole[,]; or
             179          (D) a member of any other body charged by law with performing a quasi-judicial
             180      function.


             181          [(20)] (21) "Record series" means a group of records that may be treated as a unit for
             182      purposes of designation, description, management, or disposition.
             183          [(21)] (22) "Records committee" means the State Records Committee created in
             184      Section 63-2-501 .
             185          [(22)] (23) "Records officer" means the individual appointed by the chief
             186      administrative officer of each governmental entity, or the political subdivision to work with
             187      state archives in the care, maintenance, scheduling, designation, classification, disposal, and
             188      preservation of records.
             189          [(23)] (24) "Schedule," "scheduling," and their derivative forms mean the process of
             190      specifying the length of time each record series should be retained by a governmental entity for
             191      administrative, legal, fiscal, or historical purposes and when each record series should be
             192      transferred to the state archives or destroyed.
             193          [(24)] (25) "State archives" means the Division of Archives and Records Service
             194      created in Section 63-2-901 .
             195          [(25)] (26) "State archivist" means the director of the state archives.
             196          [(26)] (27) "Summary data" means statistical records and compilations that contain
             197      data derived from private, controlled, or protected information but that do not disclose private,
             198      controlled, or protected information.
             199          Section 2. Section 63-2-201 is amended to read:
             200           63-2-201. Right to inspect records and receive copies of records.
             201          (1) Every person has the right to inspect a public record free of charge, and the right to
             202      take a copy of a public record during normal working hours, subject to Sections 63-2-203 and
             203      63-2-204 .
             204          (2) [All records are] A record is public unless otherwise expressly provided by statute.
             205          (3) The following records are not public:
             206          (a) [records that are] a record that is private, controlled, or protected under Sections
             207      63-2-302 , 63-2-302.5 , 63-2-303 , and 63-2-304 ; and
             208          (b) [records] a record to which access is restricted pursuant to court rule, another state
             209      statute, federal statute, or federal regulation, including records for which access is governed or
             210      restricted as a condition of participation in a state or federal program or for receiving state or
             211      federal funds.


             212          (4) Only [those records] a record specified in Section 63-2-302 , 63-2-302.5 , 63-2-303 ,
             213      or 63-2-304 may be classified private, controlled, or protected.
             214          (5) (a) A governmental entity may not disclose a record that is private, controlled, or
             215      protected to any person except as provided in Subsection (5)(b), Section 63-2-202 , 63-2-206 , or
             216      63-2-302.5 .
             217          (b) A governmental entity may disclose [records] a record that [are] is private under
             218      Subsection 63-2-302 (2) or protected under Section 63-2-304 to persons other than those
             219      specified in Section 63-2-202 or 63-2-206 if the head of a governmental entity, or a designee,
             220      determines that:
             221          (i) there is no interest in restricting access to the record[, or that]; or
             222          (ii) the interests favoring access outweighs the interest favoring restriction of access.
             223          (6) (a) The disclosure of [records] a record to which access is governed or limited
             224      pursuant to court rule, another state statute, federal statute, or federal regulation, including
             225      [records] a record for which access is governed or limited as a condition of participation in a
             226      state or federal program or for receiving state or federal funds, is governed by the specific
             227      provisions of that statute, rule, or regulation.
             228          (b) This chapter applies to records described in Subsection (6)(a) insofar as this chapter
             229      is not inconsistent with the statute, rule, or regulation.
             230          (7) A governmental entity shall provide a person with a certified copy of a record if:
             231          (a) the person requesting the record has a right to inspect it;
             232          (b) the person identifies the record with reasonable specificity; and
             233          (c) the person pays the lawful fees.
             234          (8) (a) A governmental entity is not required to create a record in response to a request.
             235          (b) Upon request, a governmental entity shall provide a record in a particular format if:
             236          (i) the governmental entity is able to do so without unreasonably interfering with the
             237      governmental entity's duties and responsibilities; and
             238          (ii) the requester agrees to pay the governmental entity for its costs incurred in
             239      providing the record in the requested format in accordance with Section 63-2-203 .
             240          (c) Nothing in this section requires a governmental entity to fulfill a person's records
             241      request if the request unreasonably duplicates prior records requests from that person.
             242          (9) (a) The governmental entity may allow a person requesting records to copy the


             243      records if:
             244          [(9) If a] (i) the person requests copies of more than 50 pages of records from a
             245      governmental entity[, and, if];
             246          (ii) the records are contained in files that do not contain records that are exempt from
             247      disclosure, or the records may be segregated to remove private, protected, or controlled
             248      information from disclosure; and
             249          (iii) the governmental entity supervises the copying process to protect the public from
             250      the potential for loss of a public record.
             251          (b) When the requirements of Subsection (9)(a) are met, the governmental entity may:
             252          [(a)] (i) provide the requester with the facilities for copying the requested records and
             253      require that the requester make the copies [himself]; or
             254          [(b)] (ii) allow the requester to provide [his] the requester's own copying facilities and
             255      personnel to make the copies at the governmental entity's offices and waive the fees for
             256      copying the records.
             257          (10) (a) A governmental entity that owns an intellectual property right and that offers
             258      the intellectual property right for sale or license may control by ordinance or policy the
             259      duplication and distribution of the material based on terms the governmental entity considers to
             260      be in the public interest.
             261          (b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit or impair the rights or protections
             262      granted to the governmental entity under federal copyright or patent law as a result of its
             263      ownership of the intellectual property right.
             264          (11) A governmental entity may not use the physical form, electronic or otherwise, in
             265      which a record is stored to deny, or unreasonably hinder the rights of [persons] a person to
             266      inspect and receive [copies] a copy of a record under this chapter.
             267          (12) A governmental entity may provide access to an electronic copy of a record in lieu
             268      of providing access to its paper equivalent.
             269          Section 3. Section 63-2-203 is amended to read:
             270           63-2-203. Fees.
             271          (1) A governmental entity may charge a reasonable fee to cover the governmental
             272      entity's actual cost of duplicating a record. This fee shall be approved by the governmental
             273      entity's executive officer.


             274          (2) (a) When a governmental entity compiles a record in a form other than that
             275      normally maintained by the governmental entity, the actual costs under this section may include
             276      the following:
             277          [(a)] (i) the cost of staff time for summarizing, compiling, or tailoring the record either
             278      into an organization or media to meet the person's request;
             279          [(b)] (ii) the cost of staff time for search, retrieval, and other direct administrative costs
             280      for complying with a request[. The hourly charge may not exceed the salary of the lowest paid
             281      employee who, in the discretion of the custodian of records, has the necessary skill and training
             282      to perform the request; provided, however, that no charge may be made for the first quarter
             283      hour of staff time]; and
             284          [(c)] (iii) in the case of fees for a record that is the result of computer output other than
             285      word processing, the actual incremental cost of providing the electronic services and products
             286      together with a reasonable portion of the costs associated with formatting or interfacing the
             287      information for particular users, and the administrative costs as set forth in Subsections
             288      (2)(a)(i) and [(b)] (ii).
             289          (b) An hourly charge under Subsection (2)(a) may not exceed the salary of the lowest
             290      paid employee who, in the discretion of the custodian of records, has the necessary skill and
             291      training to perform the request.
             292          (c) Notwithstanding Subsections (2)(a) and (b), no charge may be made for the first
             293      quarter hour of staff time.
             294          (3) (a) Fees shall be established as [follows:] provided in this Subsection (3).
             295          [(a) Governmental entities]
             296          (b) A governmental entity with fees established by the Legislature:
             297          (i) shall establish the fees defined in Subsection (2), or other actual costs associated
             298      with this section through the budget process[. Governmental entities with fees established by
             299      the Legislature]; and
             300          (ii) may use the procedures of Section 63-38-3.2 to set fees until the Legislature
             301      establishes fees through the budget process. [A fee set by a governmental entity in accordance
             302      with Section 63-38-3.2 expires on May 1, 1995.]
             303          [(b)] (c) Political subdivisions shall establish fees by ordinance or written formal policy
             304      adopted by the governing body.


             305          [(c)] (d) The judiciary shall establish fees by rules of the judicial council.
             306          (4) A governmental entity may fulfill a record request without charge and is
             307      encouraged to do so when it determines that:
             308          (a) releasing the record primarily benefits the public rather than a person;
             309          (b) the individual requesting the record is the subject of the record, or an individual
             310      specified in Subsection 63-2-202 (1) or (2); or
             311          (c) the requester's legal rights are directly implicated by the information in the record,
             312      and the requester is impecunious.
             313          (5) A governmental entity may not charge a fee for:
             314          (a) reviewing a record to determine whether it is subject to disclosure, except as
             315      permitted by Subsection (2)[(b)](a)(ii); or
             316          (b) inspecting a record.
             317          (6) (a) A person who believes that there has been an unreasonable denial of a fee
             318      waiver under Subsection (4) may appeal the denial in the same manner as a person appeals
             319      when inspection of a public record is denied under Section 63-2-205 .
             320          (b) The adjudicative body hearing the appeal has the same authority when a fee waiver
             321      or reduction is denied as it has when the inspection of a public record is denied.
             322          (7) (a) All fees received under this section by a governmental entity subject to
             323      Subsection (3)[(a)](b) shall be retained by the governmental entity as a dedicated credit.
             324          (b) Those funds shall be used to recover the actual cost and expenses incurred by the
             325      governmental entity in providing the requested record or record series.
             326          (8) (a) A governmental entity may require payment of past fees and future estimated
             327      fees before beginning to process a request if:
             328          (i) fees are expected to exceed $50[,]; or [if]
             329          (ii) the requester has not paid fees from previous requests.
             330          (b) Any prepaid amount in excess of fees due shall be returned to the requester.
             331          (9) This section does not alter, repeal, or reduce fees established by other statutes or
             332      legislative acts.
             333          (10) (a) Notwithstanding Subsection (3)[(b)](c), fees for voter registration records shall
             334      be set as provided in this Subsection (10).
             335          (b) The lieutenant governor shall:


             336          (i) after consultation with county clerks, establish uniform fees for voter registration
             337      and voter history records that meet the requirements of this section; and
             338          (ii) obtain legislative approval of those fees by following the procedures and
             339      requirements of Section 63-38-3.2 .
             340          Section 4. Section 63-2-204 is amended to read:
             341           63-2-204. Requests -- Time limit for response and extraordinary circumstances.
             342          (1) A person making a request for a record shall furnish the governmental entity with a
             343      written request containing [his]:
             344          (a) the person's name, mailing address, and daytime telephone number, if available[,];
             345      and
             346          (b) a description of the [records] record requested that identifies the record with
             347      reasonable specificity.
             348          (2) A governmental entity may make rules in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a,
             349      Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, specifying where and to whom requests for access shall
             350      be directed.
             351          (3) (a) As soon as reasonably possible, but no later than ten business days after
             352      receiving a written request, or five business days after receiving a written request if the
             353      requester demonstrates that expedited response to the record request benefits the public rather
             354      than the person, the governmental entity shall respond to the request by:
             355          (i) approving the request and providing the record;
             356          (ii) denying the request;
             357          (iii) notifying the requester that it does not maintain the record and providing, if
             358      known, the name and address of the governmental entity that does maintain the record; or
             359          (iv) notifying the requester that because of one of the extraordinary circumstances
             360      listed in Subsection (4), it cannot immediately approve or deny the request.
             361          (b) The notice described in Subsection (3)(a)(iv) shall:
             362          (i) describe the circumstances relied upon; and
             363          (ii) specify the date when the records will be available.
             364          [(b)] (c) Any person who requests a record to obtain information for a story or report
             365      for publication or broadcast to the general public is presumed to be acting to benefit the public
             366      rather than a person.


             367          (4) The following circumstances constitute "extraordinary circumstances" that allow a
             368      governmental entity to delay approval or denial by an additional period of time as specified in
             369      Subsection [ 63-2-204 ](5) if the governmental entity determines that due to the extraordinary
             370      circumstances it cannot respond within the time limits provided in Subsection (3):
             371          (a) another governmental entity is using the record, in which case the originating
             372      governmental entity shall promptly request that the governmental entity currently in possession
             373      return the record;
             374          (b) another governmental entity is using the record as part of an audit, and returning the
             375      record before the completion of the audit would impair the conduct of the audit;
             376          (c) (i) the request is for a [voluminous quantity of records;] record series containing a
             377      substantial number of records;
             378          (ii) the requester seeks a substantial number of records or records series; or
             379          (iii) the requester seeks a substantial number of records or records series in requests
             380      filed within ten working days of each other;
             381          (d) the governmental entity is currently processing a large number of records requests;
             382          (e) the request requires the governmental entity to review a large number of records to
             383      locate the records requested;
             384          (f) the decision to release a record involves legal issues that require the governmental
             385      entity to seek legal counsel for the analysis of statutes, rules, ordinances, regulations, or case
             386      law;
             387          (g) segregating information that the requester is entitled to inspect from information
             388      that the requester is not entitled to inspect requires extensive editing; or
             389          (h) segregating information that the requester is entitled to inspect from information
             390      that the requester is not entitled to inspect requires computer programming.
             391          (5) If one of the extraordinary circumstances listed in Subsection (4) precludes
             392      approval or denial within the time specified in Subsection (3), the following time limits apply
             393      to the extraordinary circumstances:
             394          (a) for claims under Subsection (4)(a), the governmental entity currently in possession
             395      of the record shall return the record to the originating entity within five business days of the
             396      request for the return unless returning the record would impair the holder's work;
             397          (b) for claims under Subsection (4)(b), the originating governmental entity shall notify


             398      the requester when the record is available for inspection and copying;
             399          (c) for claims under Subsections (4)(c), (d), and (e), the governmental entity shall:
             400          (i) disclose the records that it has located which the requester is entitled to inspect;
             401          (ii) provide the requester with an estimate of the amount of time it will take to finish
             402      the work required to respond to the request; [and]
             403          (iii) complete the work and disclose those records that the requester is entitled to
             404      inspect as soon as reasonably possible; and
             405          (iv) for any person that does not establish a right to an expedited response as
             406      authorized by Subsection (3)(a), a governmental entity may choose to:
             407          (A) require the person to provide for copying of the records as provided in Subsection
             408      63-2-201 (9); or
             409          (B) treat a request for multiple records as separate record requests, and respond
             410      sequentially to each request;
             411          (d) for claims under Subsection (4)(f), the governmental entity shall either approve or
             412      deny the request within five business days after the response time specified for the original
             413      request has expired;
             414          (e) for claims under Subsection (4)(g), the governmental entity shall fulfill the request
             415      within 15 business days from the date of the original request; or
             416          (f) for claims under Subsection (4)(h), the governmental entity shall complete its
             417      programming and disclose the requested records as soon as reasonably possible.
             418          (6) (a) If a request for access is submitted to an office of a governmental entity other
             419      than that specified by rule in accordance with Subsection (2), the office shall promptly forward
             420      the request to the appropriate office.
             421          (b) If the request is forwarded promptly, the time limit for response begins when the
             422      record is received by the office specified by rule.
             423          (7) If the governmental entity fails to provide the requested records or issue a denial
             424      within the specified time period, that failure is considered the equivalent of a determination
             425      denying access to the [records] record.
             426          Section 5. Section 63-2-403 is amended to read:
             427           63-2-403. Appeals to the records committee.
             428          (1) A petitioner, including an aggrieved person who did not participate in the appeal to


             429      the governmental entity's chief administrative officer, may appeal to the records committee by
             430      filing a notice of appeal with the executive secretary no later than:
             431          (a) 30 days after the chief administrative officer of the governmental entity has granted
             432      or denied the [records] record request in whole or in part, including a denial under Subsection
             433      63-2-204 (7);
             434          (b) 45 days after the original request for [records] a record if:
             435          (i) the circumstances described in Subsection 63-2-401 (1)(b) occur; and
             436          (ii) the chief administrative officer failed to make a determination under Section
             437      63-2-401 .
             438          (2) The notice of appeal shall contain the following information:
             439          (a) the petitioner's name, mailing address, and daytime telephone number;
             440          (b) a copy of any denial of the [records] record request; and
             441          (c) the relief sought.
             442          (3) The petitioner may file a short statement of facts, reasons, and legal authority in
             443      support of the appeal.
             444          (4) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (4)(b), no later than three business days after
             445      receiving a notice of appeal, the executive secretary of the records committee shall:
             446          (i) schedule a hearing for the records committee to discuss the appeal at the next
             447      regularly scheduled committee meeting falling at least 14 days after the date the notice of
             448      appeal is filed but no longer than 45 days after the date the notice of appeal was filed provided,
             449      however, the records committee may schedule an expedited hearing upon application of the
             450      petitioner and good cause shown;
             451          (ii) send a copy of the notice of hearing to the petitioner; and
             452          (iii) send a copy of the notice of appeal, supporting statement, and a notice of hearing
             453      to:
             454          (A) each member of the records committee;
             455          (B) the records officer and the chief administrative officer of the governmental entity
             456      from which the appeal originated;
             457          (C) any person who made a business confidentiality claim under Section 63-2-308 for a
             458      record that is the subject of the appeal; and
             459          (D) all persons who participated in the proceedings before the governmental entity's


             460      chief administrative officer.
             461          (b) (i) The executive secretary of the records committee may decline to schedule a
             462      hearing if the record series that is the subject of the appeal has been found by the committee in
             463      a previous hearing involving the same government entity to be appropriately classified as
             464      private, controlled, or protected.
             465          (ii) (A) If the executive secretary of the records committee declines to schedule a
             466      hearing, the executive secretary of the records committee shall send a notice to the petitioner
             467      indicating that the request for hearing has been denied and the reason for the denial.
             468          (B) The committee shall make rules to implement this section as provided by Title 63,
             469      Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             470          (5) (a) A written statement of facts, reasons, and legal authority in support of the
             471      governmental entity's position must be submitted to the executive secretary of the records
             472      committee not later than five business days before the hearing.
             473          (b) The governmental entity shall send a copy of the written statement to the petitioner
             474      by first class mail, postage prepaid. The executive secretary shall forward a copy of the written
             475      statement to each member of the records committee.
             476          (6) (a) No later than ten business days after the notice of appeal is sent by the executive
             477      secretary, a person whose legal interests may be substantially affected by the proceeding may
             478      file a request for intervention before the records committee.
             479          (b) Any written statement of facts, reasons, and legal authority in support of the
             480      intervener's position shall be filed with the request for intervention.
             481          (c) The person seeking intervention shall provide copies of the statement to all parties
             482      to the proceedings before the records committee.
             483          (7) The records committee shall hold a hearing within the period of time described in
             484      Subsection (4).
             485          (8) At the hearing, the records committee shall allow the parties to testify, present
             486      evidence, and comment on the issues. The records committee may allow other interested
             487      persons to comment on the issues.
             488          (9) (a) The records committee may review the disputed [records] record. However, if
             489      the committee is weighing the various interests under Subsection (11), the committee must
             490      review the disputed [records] record. The review shall be in camera.


             491          (b) Members of the records committee may not disclose any information or record
             492      reviewed by the committee in camera unless the disclosure is otherwise authorized by this
             493      chapter.
             494          (10) (a) Discovery is prohibited, but the records committee may issue subpoenas or
             495      other orders to compel production of necessary evidence.
             496          (b) When the subject of a records committee subpoena disobeys or fails to comply with
             497      the subpoena, the records committee may file a motion for an order to compel obedience to the
             498      subpoena with the district court.
             499          (c) The records committee's review shall be de novo.
             500          (11) (a) No later than three business days after the hearing, the records committee shall
             501      issue a signed order either granting the petition in whole or in part or upholding the
             502      determination of the governmental entity in whole or in part.
             503          (b) The records committee may, upon consideration and weighing of the various
             504      interests and public policies pertinent to the classification and disclosure or nondisclosure,
             505      order the disclosure of information properly classified as private, controlled, or protected if the
             506      public interest favoring access outweighs the interest favoring restriction of access.
             507          (c) In making a determination under Subsection (11)(b), the records committee shall
             508      consider and, where appropriate, limit the requester's use and further disclosure of the record in
             509      order to protect privacy interests in the case of a private or controlled [records] record, business
             510      confidentiality interests in the case of [records] a record protected under Subsections
             511      63-2-304 (1) and (2), and privacy interests or the public interest in the case of other protected
             512      records.
             513          (12) The order of the records committee shall include:
             514          (a) a statement of reasons for the decision, including citations to this chapter, court rule
             515      or order, another state statute, federal statute, or federal regulation that governs disclosure of
             516      the record, provided that the citations do not disclose private, controlled, or protected
             517      information;
             518          (b) a description of the record or portions of the record to which access was ordered or
             519      denied, provided that the description does not disclose private, controlled, or protected
             520      information or information exempt from disclosure under Subsection 63-2-201 (3)(b);
             521          (c) a statement that any party to the proceeding before the records committee may


             522      appeal the records committee's decision to district court; and
             523          (d) a brief summary of the appeals process, the time limits for filing an appeal, and a
             524      notice that in order to protect its rights on appeal, the party may wish to seek advice from an
             525      attorney.
             526          (13) If the records committee fails to issue a decision within 35 days of the filing of the
             527      notice of appeal, that failure shall be considered the equivalent of an order denying the appeal.
             528      The petitioner shall notify the records committee in writing if [he] the petitioner considers the
             529      appeal denied.
             530          (14) (a) [Each government entity ] Unless a notice of intent to appeal is filed under
             531      Subsection (14)(b), each party to the proceeding shall comply with the order of the records
             532      committee [and, if records are ordered to be produced, file: (i)].
             533          (b) If a party disagrees with the order of the records committee, that party may file a
             534      notice of intent to appeal the order of the records committee.
             535          (c) If the records committee orders the government entity to produce a record and no
             536      appeal is filed, or if, as a result of the appeal, the government entity is required to produce a
             537      record, the government entity shall:
             538          (i) produce the record; and
             539          (ii) file a notice of compliance with the records committee [upon production of the
             540      records; or].
             541          [(ii) a notice of intent to appeal.]
             542          [(b)] (d) (i) If the government entity that is ordered to produce a record fails to file a
             543      notice of compliance or a notice of intent to appeal, the records committee may do either or
             544      both of the following:
             545          (A) impose a civil penalty of up to $500 for each day of continuing noncompliance; or
             546          (B) send written notice of the government entity's noncompliance to:
             547          (I) the governor for executive branch entities[, to];
             548          (II) the Legislative Management Committee for legislative branch entities[,]; and [to]
             549          (III) the Judicial Council for judicial branch agencies entities.
             550          (ii) In imposing a civil penalty, the records committee shall consider the gravity and
             551      circumstances of the violation, including whether the failure to comply was due to neglect or
             552      was willful or intentional.


             553          Section 6. Section 63-2-903 is amended to read:
             554           63-2-903. Duties of governmental entities.
             555          The chief administrative officer of each governmental entity shall:
             556          (1) establish and maintain an active, continuing program for the economical and
             557      efficient management of the governmental entity's records as provided by this chapter;
             558          (2) appoint one or more records officers who will be trained to work with the state
             559      archives in the care, maintenance, scheduling, disposal, classification, designation, access, and
             560      preservation of records;
             561          (3) make and maintain adequate and proper documentation of the organization,
             562      functions, policies, decisions, procedures, and essential transactions of the governmental entity
             563      designed to furnish information to protect the legal and financial rights of persons directly
             564      affected by the entity's activities;
             565          (4) submit to the state archivist proposed schedules of records for final approval by the
             566      records committee;
             567          (5) cooperate with the state archivist in conducting surveys made by the state archivist;
             568          (6) comply with rules issued by the Department of Administrative Services as provided
             569      by Section 63-2-904 ;
             570          (7) report to the state archives the designation of record series that it maintains;
             571          (8) report to the state archives the classification of each record series that is classified;
             572      and
             573          (9) establish and report to the state archives retention schedules for objects that the
             574      governmental entity determines are not [records] defined as a public record under [Subsection]
             575      Section 63-2-103 [(18)], but that have historical or evidentiary value.


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