Declaration on Commercial Purposes for Public Records Requests - Washington

Declaration on Commercial Purposes for Public Records Requests is a legal document that was released by the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction - a government authority operating within Washington.

FAQ

Q: What is the Declaration on Commercial Purposes for Public Records Requests?
A: The Declaration on Commercial Purposes for Public Records Requests is a legal document in Washington state that allows government agencies to charge fees for public records requests when the request is made for a commercial purpose.

Q: What is a public records request?
A: A public records request is a request made by an individual or organization to access government documents and records that are not confidential or protected by law.

Q: What is a commercial purpose?
A: A commercial purpose refers to a request made for the purpose of selling or using the requested records for commercial gain.

Q: Why is the Declaration on Commercial Purposes necessary?
A: The Declaration on Commercial Purposes is necessary to ensure that government agencies are able to recover costs associated with fulfilling public records requests made for commercial purposes.

Q: How do government agencies determine if a public records request is for a commercial purpose?
A: Government agencies may consider factors such as the nature of the request, the purpose for which the records will be used, and the relationship of the requester to any commercial entity.

Q: Can government agencies charge fees for public records requests that are not for a commercial purpose?
A: Yes, government agencies can charge fees for public records requests even if they are not for a commercial purpose. However, the fees charged must be reasonable and related to the actual costs of providing the records.