1     
MODIFICATIONS TO GOVERNMENT RECORDS

2     
PROVISIONS

3     
2019 GENERAL SESSION

4     
STATE OF UTAH

5     
Chief Sponsor: Wayne A. Harper

6     
House Sponsor: Brad M. Daw

7     

8     LONG TITLE
9     General Description:
10          This bill modifies provisions of the Government Records Access and Management Act.
11     Highlighted Provisions:
12          This bill:
13          ▸     modifies the right to inspect and copy records;
14          ▸     modifies a provision that states that a governmental entity is not required to fill a
15     records request if the records are already publicly available;
16          ▸     modifies a restriction on sharing records of a publicly funded library;
17          ▸     prohibits a records request from being submitted to multiple governmental entities;
18          ▸     modifies a provision relating to an award of attorney fees on an appeal relating to an
19     access issue; and
20          ▸     makes technical changes.
21     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
22          None
23     Other Special Clauses:
24          None
25     Utah Code Sections Affected:
26     AMENDS:
27          63G-2-201, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 435
28          63G-2-204, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 435

29          63G-2-206, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 377
30          63G-2-308, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
31          63G-2-400.5, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2015, Chapter 335
32          63G-2-401, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 435
33          63G-2-802, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
34     

35     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
36          Section 1. Section 63G-2-201 is amended to read:
37          63G-2-201. Provisions relating to records -- Public records -- Private, controlled,
38     protected, and other restricted records -- Disclosure and nondisclosure of records --
39     Certified copy of record -- Limits on obligation to respond to record request.
40          (1) (a) [Every] Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), a person has the right to
41     inspect a public record free of charge, and the right to take a copy of a public record during
42     normal working hours, subject to Sections 63G-2-203 and 63G-2-204.
43          (b) A right under Subsection (1)(a) does not apply with respect to a record:
44          (i) a copy of which the governmental entity has already provided to the person;
45          (ii) that is the subject of a records request that the governmental entity is not required
46     to fill under Subsection (8)(e); or
47          (iii) (A) that is accessible only by a computer or other electronic device owned or
48     controlled by the governmental entity;
49          (B) that is part of an electronic file that also contains a record that is private,
50     controlled, or protected; and
51          (C) that the governmental entity cannot readily segregate from the part of the electronic
52     file that contains a private, controlled, or protected record.
53          (2) A record is public unless otherwise expressly provided by statute.
54          (3) The following records are not public:
55          (a) a record that is private, controlled, or protected under Sections 63G-2-302,

56     63G-2-303, 63G-2-304, and 63G-2-305; and
57          (b) a record to which access is restricted pursuant to court rule, another state statute,
58     federal statute, or federal regulation, including records for which access is governed or
59     restricted as a condition of participation in a state or federal program or for receiving state or
60     federal funds.
61          (4) Only a record specified in Section 63G-2-302, 63G-2-303, 63G-2-304, or
62     63G-2-305 may be classified private, controlled, or protected.
63          (5) (a) A governmental entity may not disclose a record that is private, controlled, or
64     protected to any person except as provided in Subsection (5)(b), Subsection (5)(c), Section
65     63G-2-202, 63G-2-206, or 63G-2-303.
66          (b) A governmental entity may disclose a record that is private under Subsection
67     63G-2-302(2) or protected under Section 63G-2-305 to persons other than those specified in
68     Section 63G-2-202 or 63G-2-206 if the head of a governmental entity, or a designee,
69     determines that:
70          (i) there is no interest in restricting access to the record; or
71          (ii) the interests favoring access are greater than or equal to the interest favoring
72     restriction of access.
73          (c) In addition to the disclosure under Subsection (5)(b), a governmental entity may
74     disclose a record that is protected under Subsection 63G-2-305(51) if:
75          (i) the head of the governmental entity, or a designee, determines that the disclosure:
76          (A) is mutually beneficial to:
77          (I) the subject of the record;
78          (II) the governmental entity; and
79          (III) the public; and
80          (B) serves a public purpose related to:
81          (I) public safety; or
82          (II) consumer protection; and

83          (ii) the person who receives the record from the governmental entity agrees not to use
84     or allow the use of the record for advertising or solicitation purposes.
85          (6) (a) The disclosure of a record to which access is governed or limited pursuant to
86     court rule, another state statute, federal statute, or federal regulation, including a record for
87     which access is governed or limited as a condition of participation in a state or federal program
88     or for receiving state or federal funds, is governed by the specific provisions of that statute,
89     rule, or regulation.
90          (b) This chapter applies to records described in Subsection (6)(a) insofar as this chapter
91     is not inconsistent with the statute, rule, or regulation.
92          (7) A governmental entity shall provide a person with a certified copy of a record if:
93          (a) the person requesting the record has a right to inspect it;
94          (b) the person identifies the record with reasonable specificity; and
95          (c) the person pays the lawful fees.
96          (8) [(a)] In response to a request, a governmental entity is not required to:
97          [(i)] (a) create a record;
98          [(ii)] (b) compile, format, manipulate, package, summarize, or tailor information;
99          [(iii)] (c) provide a record in a particular format, medium, or program not currently
100     maintained by the governmental entity;
101          [(iv)] (d) fulfill a person's records request if the request unreasonably duplicates prior
102     records requests from that person; or
103          [(v)] (e) fill a person's records request if:
104          [(A)] (i) the record requested is:
105          (A) publicly accessible [in the identical physical form and content] online; or
106          (B) included in a public publication or product produced by the governmental entity
107     receiving the request; and
108          [(B)] (ii) the governmental entity:
109          (A) specifies to the person requesting the record where the record is accessible online;

110     or
111          (B) provides the person requesting the record with the public publication or product[;]
112     and [(C) the governmental entity] specifies where the record can be found in the public
113     publication or product.
114          [(b) Upon request,]
115          (9) (a) Although not required to do so, a governmental entity may, upon request from
116     the person who submitted the records request, compile, format, manipulate, package,
117     summarize, or tailor information or provide a record in a [particular form under Subsection
118     (8)(a)(ii) or (iii) if:] format, medium, or program not currently maintained by the governmental
119     entity.
120          [(i) the] (b) In determining whether to fulfill a request described in Subsection (9)(a), a
121     governmental entity [determines it is able to do so] may consider whether the governmental
122     entity is able to fulfill the request without unreasonably interfering with the governmental
123     entity's duties and responsibilities[; and].
124          [(ii) the requester agrees]
125          (c) A governmental entity may require a person who makes a request under Subsection
126     (9)(a) to pay the governmental entity, in accordance with Section 63G-2-203, for providing the
127     information or record [in the requested form in accordance with Section 63G-2-203] as
128     requested.
129          [(9)] (10) (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, and subject to
130     Subsection [(9)] (10)(b), a governmental entity is not required to respond to, or provide a
131     record in response to, a record request if the request is submitted by or in behalf of an
132     individual who is confined in a jail or other correctional facility following the individual's
133     conviction.
134          (b) Subsection [(9)] (10)(a) does not apply to:
135          (i) the first five record requests submitted to the governmental entity by or in behalf of
136     an individual described in Subsection [(9)] (10)(a) during any calendar year requesting only a

137     record that contains a specific reference to the individual; or
138          (ii) a record request that is submitted by an attorney of an individual described in
139     Subsection [(9)] (10)(a).
140          [(10)] (11) (a) A governmental entity may allow a person requesting more than 50
141     pages of records to copy the records if:
142          (i) the records are contained in files that do not contain records that are exempt from
143     disclosure, or the records may be segregated to remove private, protected, or controlled
144     information from disclosure; and
145          (ii) the governmental entity provides reasonable safeguards to protect the public from
146     the potential for loss of a public record.
147          (b) If the requirements of Subsection [(10)] (11)(a) are met, the governmental entity
148     may:
149          (i) provide the requester with the facilities for copying the requested records and
150     require that the requester make the copies; or
151          (ii) allow the requester to provide the requester's own copying facilities and personnel
152     to make the copies at the governmental entity's offices and waive the fees for copying the
153     records.
154          [(11)] (12) (a) A governmental entity that owns an intellectual property right and that
155     offers the intellectual property right for sale or license may control by ordinance or policy the
156     duplication and distribution of the material based on terms the governmental entity considers to
157     be in the public interest.
158          (b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit or impair the rights or protections
159     granted to the governmental entity under federal copyright or patent law as a result of its
160     ownership of the intellectual property right.
161          [(12)] (13) A governmental entity may not use the physical form, electronic or
162     otherwise, in which a record is stored to deny, or unreasonably hinder the rights of a person to
163     inspect and receive a copy of a record under this chapter.

164          [(13)] (14) Subject to the requirements of Subsection (8), a governmental entity shall
165     provide access to an electronic copy of a record in lieu of providing access to its paper
166     equivalent if:
167          (a) the person making the request requests or states a preference for an electronic copy;
168          (b) the governmental entity currently maintains the record in an electronic format that
169     is reproducible and may be provided without reformatting or conversion; and
170          (c) the electronic copy of the record:
171          (i) does not disclose other records that are exempt from disclosure; or
172          (ii) may be segregated to protect private, protected, or controlled information from
173     disclosure without the undue expenditure of public resources or funds.
174          [(14)] (15) In determining whether a record is properly classified as private under
175     Subsection 63G-2-302(2)(d), the governmental entity, State Records Committee, local appeals
176     board, or court shall consider and weigh:
177          (a) any personal privacy interests, including those in images, that would be affected by
178     disclosure of the records in question; and
179          (b) any public interests served by disclosure.
180          Section 2. Section 63G-2-204 is amended to read:
181          63G-2-204. Record request -- Response -- Time for responding.
182          (1) (a) A person making a request for a record shall [furnish] submit to the
183     governmental entity [with] that retains the record a written request containing:
184          [(a)] (i) the person's:
185          (A) name[,];
186          (B) mailing address[,];
187          (C) email address, if the person has an email address and is willing to accept
188     communications by email relating to the person's records request; and
189          (D) daytime telephone number[, if available]; and
190          [(b)] (ii) a description of the record requested that identifies the record with reasonable

191     specificity.
192          [(2) (a) Subject to Subsection (2)(b), a person making a request for a record shall
193     submit the request to the governmental entity that prepares, owns, or retains the record.]
194          (b) (i) A single record request may not be submitted to multiple governmental entities.
195          (ii) Subsection (1)(b)(i) may not be construed to prevent a person from submitting a
196     separate record request to each of multiple governmental entities, even if each of the separate
197     requests seeks access to the same record.
198          [(b)] (2) (a) In response to a request for a record, a governmental entity may not
199     provide a record that it has received under Section 63G-2-206 as a shared record [if].
200          [the record was shared for the purpose of auditing, if]
201          [the governmental entity is authorized by state statute to conduct an audit.]
202          [(c)] (b) If a governmental entity is prohibited from providing a record under
203     Subsection [(2)(b), it] (2)(a), the governmental entity shall:
204          (i) deny the records request; and
205          (ii) inform the person making the request [that records requests must be submitted to
206     the governmental entity that prepares, owns, or retains the record] of the identity of the
207     governmental entity from which the shared record was received.
208          [(d)] (3) A governmental entity may make rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter
209     3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, specifying where and to whom requests for access
210     shall be directed.
211          [(3)] (4) After receiving a request for a record, a governmental entity shall:
212          (a) review each request that seeks an expedited response and notify, within five
213     business days after receiving the request, each requester that has not demonstrated that their
214     record request benefits the public rather than the person that their response will not be
215     expedited; and
216          (b) as soon as reasonably possible, but no later than 10 business days after receiving a
217     written request, or five business days after receiving a written request if the requester

218     demonstrates that expedited response to the record request benefits the public rather than the
219     person:
220          (i) approve the request and provide a copy of the record;
221          (ii) deny the request in accordance with the procedures and requirements of Section
222     63G-2-205;
223          (iii) notify the requester that it does not maintain the record requested and provide, if
224     known, the name and address of the governmental entity that does maintain the record; or
225          (iv) notify the requester that because of one of the extraordinary circumstances listed in
226     Subsection [(5)] (6), it cannot immediately approve or deny the request, and include with the
227     notice:
228          (A) a description of the circumstances that constitute the extraordinary circumstances;
229     and
230          (B) the date when the records will be available, consistent with the requirements of
231     Subsection [(6)] (7).
232          [(4)] (5) Any person who requests a record to obtain information for a story or report
233     for publication or broadcast to the general public is presumed to be acting to benefit the public
234     rather than a person.
235          [(5)] (6) The following circumstances constitute "extraordinary circumstances" that
236     allow a governmental entity to delay approval or denial by an additional period of time as
237     specified in Subsection [(6)] (7) if the governmental entity determines that due to the
238     extraordinary circumstances it cannot respond within the time limits provided in Subsection
239     [(3)] (4):
240          (a) another governmental entity is using the record, in which case the originating
241     governmental entity shall promptly request that the governmental entity currently in possession
242     return the record;
243          (b) another governmental entity is using the record as part of an audit, and returning the
244     record before the completion of the audit would impair the conduct of the audit;

245          (c) (i) the request is for a voluminous quantity of records or a record series containing a
246     substantial number of records; or
247          (ii) the requester seeks a substantial number of records or records series in requests
248     filed within five working days of each other;
249          (d) the governmental entity is currently processing a large number of records requests;
250          (e) the request requires the governmental entity to review a large number of records to
251     locate the records requested;
252          (f) the decision to release a record involves legal issues that require the governmental
253     entity to seek legal counsel for the analysis of statutes, rules, ordinances, regulations, or case
254     law;
255          (g) segregating information that the requester is entitled to inspect from information
256     that the requester is not entitled to inspect requires extensive editing; or
257          (h) segregating information that the requester is entitled to inspect from information
258     that the requester is not entitled to inspect requires computer programming.
259          [(6)] (7) If one of the extraordinary circumstances listed in Subsection [(5)] (6)
260     precludes approval or denial within the time specified in Subsection [(3)] (4), the following
261     time limits apply to the extraordinary circumstances:
262          (a) for claims under Subsection [(5)] (6)(a), the governmental entity currently in
263     possession of the record shall return the record to the originating entity within five business
264     days of the request for the return unless returning the record would impair the holder's work;
265          (b) for claims under Subsection [(5)] (6)(b), the originating governmental entity shall
266     notify the requester when the record is available for inspection and copying;
267          (c) for claims under Subsections [(5)] (6)(c), (d), and (e), the governmental entity shall:
268          (i) disclose the records that it has located which the requester is entitled to inspect;
269          (ii) provide the requester with an estimate of the amount of time it will take to finish
270     the work required to respond to the request;
271          (iii) complete the work and disclose those records that the requester is entitled to

272     inspect as soon as reasonably possible; and
273          (iv) for any person that does not establish a right to an expedited response as
274     authorized by Subsection [(3)] (4), a governmental entity may choose to:
275          (A) require the person to provide for copying of the records as provided in Subsection
276     63G-2-201(10); or
277          (B) treat a request for multiple records as separate record requests, and respond
278     sequentially to each request;
279          (d) for claims under Subsection [(5)] (6)(f), the governmental entity shall either
280     approve or deny the request within five business days after the response time specified for the
281     original request has expired;
282          (e) for claims under Subsection [(5)] (6)(g), the governmental entity shall fulfill the
283     request within 15 business days from the date of the original request; or
284          (f) for claims under Subsection [(5)] (6)(h), the governmental entity shall complete its
285     programming and disclose the requested records as soon as reasonably possible.
286          [(7)] (8) (a) If a request for access is submitted to an office of a governmental entity
287     other than that specified by rule in accordance with Subsection [(2)] (3), the office shall
288     promptly forward the request to the appropriate office.
289          (b) If the request is forwarded promptly, the time limit for response begins when the
290     [record] request is received by the office specified by rule.
291          [(8)] (9) If the governmental entity fails to provide the requested records or issue a
292     denial within the specified time period, that failure is considered the equivalent of a
293     determination denying access to the record.
294          Section 3. Section 63G-2-206 is amended to read:
295          63G-2-206. Sharing records.
296          (1) A governmental entity may provide a record that is private, controlled, or protected
297     to another governmental entity, a government-managed corporation, a political subdivision, the
298     federal government, or another state if the requesting entity:

299          (a) serves as a repository or archives for purposes of historical preservation,
300     administrative maintenance, or destruction;
301          (b) enforces, litigates, or investigates civil, criminal, or administrative law, and the
302     record is necessary to a proceeding or investigation;
303          (c) is authorized by state statute to conduct an audit and the record is needed for that
304     purpose;
305          (d) is one that collects information for presentence, probationary, or parole purposes; or
306          (e) (i) is:
307          (A) the Legislature;
308          (B) a legislative committee;
309          (C) a member of the Legislature; or
310          (D) a legislative staff member acting at the request of the Legislature, a legislative
311     committee, or a member of the Legislature; and
312          (ii) requests the record in relation to the Legislature's duties including:
313          (A) the preparation or review of a legislative proposal or legislation;
314          (B) appropriations; or
315          (C) an investigation or review conducted by the Legislature or a legislative committee.
316          (2) (a) A governmental entity may provide a private, controlled, or protected record or
317     record series to another governmental entity, a political subdivision, a government-managed
318     corporation, the federal government, or another state if the requesting entity provides written
319     assurance:
320          (i) that the record or record series is necessary to the performance of the governmental
321     entity's duties and functions;
322          (ii) that the record or record series will be used for a purpose similar to the purpose for
323     which the information in the record or record series was collected or obtained; and
324          (iii) that the use of the record or record series produces a public benefit that is greater
325     than or equal to the individual privacy right that protects the record or record series.

326          (b) A governmental entity may provide a private, controlled, or protected record or
327     record series to a contractor or a private provider according to the requirements of Subsection
328     (6)(b).
329          (3) (a) A governmental entity shall provide a private, controlled, or protected record to
330     another governmental entity, a political subdivision, a government-managed corporation, the
331     federal government, or another state if the requesting entity:
332          (i) is entitled by law to inspect the record;
333          (ii) is required to inspect the record as a condition of participating in a state or federal
334     program or for receiving state or federal funds; or
335          (iii) is an entity described in Subsection (1)(a), (b), (c), (d), or (e).
336          (b) Subsection (3)(a)(iii) applies only if the record is a record described in Subsection
337     63G-2-305(4).
338          (4) Before disclosing a record or record series under this section to another
339     governmental entity, another state, the United States, a foreign government, or to a contractor
340     or private provider, the originating governmental entity shall:
341          (a) inform the recipient of the record's classification and the accompanying restrictions
342     on access; and
343          (b) if the recipient is not a governmental entity to which this chapter applies, obtain the
344     recipient's written agreement which may be by mechanical or electronic transmission that it
345     will abide by those restrictions on access unless a statute, federal regulation, or interstate
346     agreement otherwise governs the sharing of the record or record series.
347          (5) A governmental entity may disclose a record to another state, the United States, or a
348     foreign government for the reasons listed in Subsections (1) and (2) without complying with
349     the procedures of Subsection (2) or (4) if disclosure is authorized by executive agreement,
350     treaty, federal statute, compact, federal regulation, or state statute.
351          (6) (a) Subject to Subsections (6)(b) and (c), an entity receiving a record under this
352     section is subject to the same restrictions on disclosure of the record as the originating entity.

353          (b) A contractor or a private provider may receive information under this section only
354     if:
355          (i) the contractor or private provider's use of the record or record series produces a
356     public benefit that is greater than or equal to the individual privacy right that protects the record
357     or record series;
358          (ii) the record or record series it requests:
359          (A) is necessary for the performance of a contract with a governmental entity;
360          (B) will only be used for the performance of the contract with the governmental entity;
361          (C) will not be disclosed to any other person; and
362          (D) will not be used for advertising or solicitation purposes; and
363          (iii) the contractor or private provider gives written assurance to the governmental
364     entity that is providing the record or record series that it will adhere to the restrictions of this
365     Subsection (6)(b).
366          (c) The classification of a record already held by a governmental entity and the
367     applicable restrictions on disclosure of that record are not affected by the governmental entity's
368     receipt under this section of a record with a different classification that contains information
369     that is also included in the previously held record.
370          (7) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if a more specific court rule or
371     order, state statute, federal statute, or federal regulation prohibits or requires sharing
372     information, that rule, order, statute, or federal regulation controls.
373          (8) (a) The following records may not be shared under this section:
374          [(a)] (i) records held by the Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining that pertain to any person
375     and that are gathered under authority of Title 40, Chapter 6, Board and Division of Oil, Gas,
376     and Mining;
377          [(b)] (ii) except as provided in Subsection (8)(b), records of publicly funded libraries as
378     described in Subsection 63G-2-302(1)(c); and
379          [(c)] (iii) a record described in Section 63G-12-210.

380          (b) A publicly funded library may share a record that is a private record under
381     Subsection 63G-2-302(1)(c) with a law enforcement agency, as defined in Section 53-1-102, if:
382          (i) the record is a video surveillance recording of the library premises; and
383          (ii) the law enforcement agency certifies in writing that:
384          (A) the law enforcement agency believes that the record will provide important
385     information for a pending investigation into criminal or potentially criminal behavior; and
386          (B) the law enforcement agency's receipt of the record will assist the agency to prevent
387     imminent harm to an individual or imminent and substantial damage to property.
388          (9) Records that may evidence or relate to a violation of law may be disclosed to a
389     government prosecutor, peace officer, or auditor.
390          Section 4. Section 63G-2-308 is amended to read:
391          63G-2-308. Allowing or denying access based on status of information in a
392     record.
393          Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter, if a governmental entity receives a
394     request for access to a record that contains both information that the requester is entitled to
395     inspect and information that the requester is not entitled to inspect under this chapter, and, if
396     the information the requester is entitled to inspect is intelligible, the governmental entity:
397          (1) shall, except as provided in Subsection 63G-2-201(1)(b)(iii), allow access to
398     information in the record that the requester is entitled to inspect under this chapter; and
399          (2) may deny access to information in the record if the information is exempt from
400     disclosure to the requester, issuing a notice of denial as provided in Section 63G-2-205.
401          Section 5. Section 63G-2-400.5 is amended to read:
402          63G-2-400.5. Definitions.
403          As used in this part:
404          (1) "Access denial" means a governmental entity's denial, under Subsection
405     63G-2-204[(8)](9) or Section 63G-2-205, in whole or in part, of a record request.
406          (2) "Appellate affirmation" means a decision of a chief administrative officer, local

407     appeals board, or records committee affirming an access denial.
408          (3) "Interested party" means a person, other than a requester, who is aggrieved by an
409     access denial or an appellate affirmation, whether or not the person participated in proceedings
410     leading to the access denial or appellate affirmation.
411          (4) "Local appeals board" means an appeals board established by a political subdivision
412     under Subsection 63G-2-701(5)(c).
413          (5) "Record request" means a request for a record under Section 63G-2-204.
414          (6) "Records committee appellant" means:
415          (a) a political subdivision that seeks to appeal a decision of a local appeals board to the
416     records committee; or
417          (b) a requester or interested party who seeks to appeal to the records committee a
418     decision affirming an access denial.
419          (7) "Requester" means a person who submits a record request to a governmental entity.
420          Section 6. Section 63G-2-401 is amended to read:
421          63G-2-401. Appeal to chief administrative officer -- Notice of the decision of the
422     appeal.
423          (1) (a) A requester or interested party may appeal an access denial to the chief
424     administrative officer of the governmental entity by filing a notice of appeal with the chief
425     administrative officer within 30 days after:
426          (i) the governmental entity sends a notice of denial under Section 63G-2-205, if the
427     governmental entity denies a record request under Subsection 63G-2-205(1); or
428          (ii) the record request is considered denied under Subsection 63G-2-204[(8)](9), if that
429     subsection applies.
430          (b) If a governmental entity claims extraordinary circumstances and specifies the date
431     when the records will be available under Subsection 63G-2-204[(3)](4), and, if the requester
432     believes the extraordinary circumstances do not exist or that the date specified is unreasonable,
433     the requester may appeal the governmental entity's claim of extraordinary circumstances or date

434     for compliance to the chief administrative officer by filing a notice of appeal with the chief
435     administrative officer within 30 days after notification of a claim of extraordinary
436     circumstances by the governmental entity, despite the lack of a "determination" or its
437     equivalent under Subsection 63G-2-204[(8)](9).
438          (2) A notice of appeal shall contain:
439          (a) the name, mailing address, and daytime telephone number of the requester or
440     interested party; and
441          (b) the relief sought.
442          (3) The requester or interested party may file a short statement of facts, reasons, and
443     legal authority in support of the appeal.
444          (4) (a) If the appeal involves a record that is the subject of a business confidentiality
445     claim under Section 63G-2-309, the chief administrative officer shall:
446          (i) send notice of the appeal to the business confidentiality claimant within three
447     business days after receiving notice, except that if notice under this section must be given to
448     more than 35 persons, it shall be given as soon as reasonably possible; and
449          (ii) send notice of the business confidentiality claim and the schedule for the chief
450     administrative officer's determination to the requester or interested party within three business
451     days after receiving notice of the appeal.
452          (b) The business confidentiality claimant shall have seven business days after notice is
453     sent by the administrative officer to submit further support for the claim of business
454     confidentiality.
455          (5) (a) The chief administrative officer shall make a decision on the appeal within:
456          (i) (A) 10 business days after the chief administrative officer's receipt of the notice of
457     appeal; or
458          (B) five business days after the chief administrative officer's receipt of the notice of
459     appeal, if the requester or interested party demonstrates that an expedited decision benefits the
460     public rather than the requester or interested party; or

461          (ii) 12 business days after the governmental entity sends the notice of appeal to a person
462     who submitted a claim of business confidentiality.
463          (b) (i) If the chief administrative officer fails to make a decision on an appeal of an
464     access denial within the time specified in Subsection (5)(a), the failure is the equivalent of a
465     decision affirming the access denial.
466          (ii) If the chief administrative officer fails to make a decision on an appeal under
467     Subsection (1)(b) within the time specified in Subsection (5)(a), the failure is the equivalent of
468     a decision affirming the claim of extraordinary circumstances or the reasonableness of the date
469     specified when the records will be available.
470          (c) The provisions of this section notwithstanding, the parties participating in the
471     proceeding may, by agreement, extend the time periods specified in this section.
472          (6) Except as provided in Section 63G-2-406, the chief administrative officer may,
473     upon consideration and weighing of the various interests and public policies pertinent to the
474     classification and disclosure or nondisclosure, order the disclosure of information properly
475     classified as private under Subsection 63G-2-302(2) or protected under Section 63G-2-305 if
476     the interests favoring access are greater than or equal to the interests favoring restriction of
477     access.
478          (7) (a) The governmental entity shall send written notice of the chief administrative
479     officer's decision to all participants.
480          (b) If the chief administrative officer's decision is to affirm the access denial in whole
481     or in part, the notice under Subsection (7)(a) shall include:
482          (i) a statement that the requester or interested party has the right to appeal the decision,
483     as provided in Section 63G-2-402, to:
484          (A) the records committee or district court; or
485          (B) the local appeals board, if the governmental entity is a political subdivision and the
486     governmental entity has established a local appeals board;
487          (ii) the time limits for filing an appeal; and

488          (iii) the name and business address of:
489          (A) the executive secretary of the records committee; and
490          (B) the individual designated as the contact individual for the appeals board, if the
491     governmental entity is a political subdivision that has established an appeals board under
492     Subsection 63G-2-701(5)(c).
493          (8) A person aggrieved by a governmental entity's classification or designation
494     determination under this chapter, but who is not requesting access to the records, may appeal
495     that determination using the procedures provided in this section. If a nonrequester is the only
496     appellant, the procedures provided in this section shall apply, except that the decision on the
497     appeal shall be made within 30 days after receiving the notice of appeal.
498          (9) The duties of the chief administrative officer under this section may be delegated.
499          Section 7. Section 63G-2-802 is amended to read:
500          63G-2-802. Injunction -- Attorney fees.
501          (1) A district court in this state may enjoin any governmental entity or political
502     subdivision that violates or proposes to violate the provisions of this chapter.
503          (2) (a) A district court may assess against any governmental entity or political
504     subdivision reasonable attorney fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred in
505     connection with a judicial appeal [of a denial of] to determine whether a requester is entitled to
506     access to records under a records request, if the requester substantially prevails.
507          (b) In determining whether to award attorneys' fees under this section, the court shall
508     consider:
509          (i) the public benefit derived from the case;
510          (ii) the nature of the requester's interest in the records; and
511          (iii) whether the governmental entity's or political subdivision's actions had a
512     reasonable basis.
513          (c) Attorney fees shall not ordinarily be awarded if the purpose of the litigation is
514     primarily to benefit the requester's financial or commercial interest.

515          (3) Neither attorney fees nor costs shall be awarded for fees or costs incurred during
516     administrative proceedings.
517          (4) Notwithstanding Subsection (2), a court may only award fees and costs incurred in
518     connection with appeals to district courts under Subsection 63G-2-404(2) if the fees and costs
519     were incurred 20 or more days after the requester provided to the governmental entity or
520     political subdivision a statement of position that adequately explains the basis for the
521     requester's position.
522          (5) Claims for attorney fees as provided in this section or for damages are subject to
523     Title 63G, Chapter 7, Governmental Immunity Act of Utah.