Source: http://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=StatuteChapter&Statute=1-27
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 18:15:44+00:00

Document:
1-27-1 Public records open to inspection and copying.
1-27-1.2 Fees for specialized service.
1-27-1.3 Liberal construction of public access to public records law--Certain criminal investigation and contract negotiation records exempt.
1-27-1.4 Denial letters to be kept on file.
1-27-1.5 Certain records not open to inspection and copying.
1-27-1.6 Certain financial, commercial, and proprietary information exempt from disclosure.
1-27-1.7 Certain drafts, notes, and memoranda exempt from disclosure.
1-27-1.8 Certain records relevant to court actions exempt from disclosure.
1-27-1.9 Documents or communications used for decisional process arising from person's official duties not subject to compulsory disclosure.
1-27-1.10 Redaction of certain information.
1-27-1.11 Subscription or license holder list of Department of Game, Fish and Parks and certain insurance applicant and policyholder information available for fee--Resale or redistribution prohibited--Misdemeanor.
1-27-1.12 Chapter inapplicable to Unified Judicial System.
1-27-1.13 Certain records not available to inmates.
1-27-1.14 Redaction of records in office of register of deeds not required.
1-27-1.15 Immunity for good faith denial or provision of record.
1-27-1.16 Material relating to open meeting agenda item to be available--Exceptions--Violation as misdemeanor.
1-27-1.17 Draft minutes of public meeting to be available--Exceptions--Violation as misdemeanor.
1-27-1.18 Recommendations, findings, and reports of appointed working groups to be reported in open meeting--Action by governing body.
1-27-1.19 Public access to records of former Governors and lieutenant governors.
1-27-1.20 Exempt records to be opened upon death or ten years after leaving office.
1-27-1.21 Right of former Governor and lieutenant governor to approve or deny release of exempt records.
1-27-1.22 Agreement for transfer of records to suitable repository.
1-27-3 Records declared confidential or secret.
1-27-4 Format of open record.
1-27-4.1 Format of written contracts--Storage with records retention officer or designee--Duration.
1-27-4.2 Availability of contract through internet website or database.
1-27-9 Records management programs--Definition of terms.
1-27-10 Records as property of state--Damage or disposal only as authorized by law.
1-27-11 Board to supervise destruction of records--State records manager as ex officio member--Permission required for destruction.
1-27-11.1 Direction and supervision of board by Bureau of Administration--Independent functions retained.
1-27-12 State records management program to be established.
1-27-12.1 Records management internal service fund.
1-27-13 Records management procedures proposed by state agencies.
1-27-14 Obsolete records listed by state agencies.
1-27-14.1 Transfer of records by outgoing agency heads--Terminated agency records.
1-27-14.2 Transfer of jeopardized nonessential agency material to state archivist.
1-27-14.3 Title to transferred records pending formal transfer.
1-27-15 Destruction of nonrecord materials.
1-27-16 Rules, standards, and procedures.
1-27-17 Legislative and judicial records management programs.
1-27-18 Local records management programs.
1-27-19 Annual meeting to authorize destruction of political subdivision records--Record of disposition.
1-27-20 English as common language--Use in public records and public meetings.
1-27-21 Public document or record defined--Public meeting.
1-27-22 Application of English as common language requirement.
1-27-24 Effect of common language requirement on state employment.
1-27-25 Common language requirements not applicable to private activities.
1-27-27 Requesting information or data from a state agency.
1-27-29 Disclosure of information concerning private entity restricted.
1-27-30 Confidentiality of proprietary or trade information of private entity.
1-27-31 Circumstances allowing for disclosure of information concerning private entity.
1-27-32 Disclosure of confidential information as misdemeanor.
1-27-33 Specific public access or confidentiality provisions not superseded by chapter provisions.
1-27-34 Unified Judicial System and Public Utilities Commission exempt from certain records procedures.
1-27-35 Informal requests for disclosure of records--Costs of retrieval or reproduction.
1-27-36 Estimate of retrieval and reproduction cost--Waiver or reduction of fee.
1-27-37 Written request for disclosure of records.
1-27-38 Civil action or administrative review of denial of written request or estimate of fees.
1-27-39 Response to notice of review.
1-27-40 Findings and decision of Office of Hearing Examiners.
1-27-40.1 Time for compliance with decision or appeal.
1-27-40.2 Costs, disbursements, and civil penalty for unreasonable, bad faith denial of access.
1-27-42 Public record officer for the state, county, municipality, township, school district, special district, or other entity.
1-27-43 Form of notice of review--Office of Hearing Examiners' notice.
1-27-44 Restriction on internet use of social security numbers by state agencies and political subdivisions.
1-27-45 Searchable internet website for posting and access of public records and financial information.
1-27-46 Contracts to be displayed on searchable internet website.
1-27-47 Affordability of public access to electronic records database.
1-27-48 Documentation regarding information stored in electronic records system.
1-27-1. Public records open to inspection and copying. Except as otherwise expressly provided by statute, all citizens of this state, and all other persons interested in the examination of the public records, as defined in § 1-27-1.1, are hereby fully empowered and authorized to examine such public record, and make memoranda and abstracts therefrom during the hours the respective offices are open for the ordinary transaction of business and, unless federal copyright law otherwise provides, obtain copies of public records in accordance with this chapter.
Each government entity or elected or appointed government official shall, during normal business hours, make available to the public for inspection and copying in the manner set forth in this chapter all public records held by that entity or official.
Source: SDC 1939, § 48.0701; SL 1977, ch 16, § 2; SL 1982, ch 30, § 1; SL 1987, ch 24; SL 1991, ch 13; SL 1992, ch 10; SL 1994, ch 21; SL 2003, ch 272 (Ex. Ord. 03-1), § 82; SL 2004, ch 17, § 2; SL 2009, ch 10, § 1.
1-27-1.1. Public records defined. Unless any other statute, ordinance, or rule expressly provides that particular information or records may not be made public, public records include all records and documents, regardless of physical form, of or belonging to this state, any county, municipality, political subdivision, or tax-supported district in this state, or any agency, branch, department, board, bureau, commission, council, subunit, or committee of any of the foregoing. Data which is a public record in its original form remains a public record when maintained in any other form. For the purposes of §§ 1-27-1 to 1-27-1.15, inclusive, a tax-supported district includes any business improvement district created pursuant to chapter 9-55.
Source: SL 2009, ch 10, § 2.
1-27-1.2. Fees for specialized service. If a custodian of a public record of a county, municipality, political subdivision, or tax-supported district provides to a member of the public, upon request, a copy of the public record, a reasonable fee may be charged for any specialized service. Such fee may include a reasonable amount representing a portion of the amortization of the cost of computer equipment, including software, necessarily added in order to provide such specialized service. This section does not require a governmental entity to acquire computer capability to generate public records in a new or different form if that new form would require additional computer equipment or software not already possessed by the governmental entity.
No fee may be charged for the electronic transfer of any minutes of open meeting actions of a political subdivision, board or agency of a political subdivision, or the governing board of an agency that levies property taxes that were recorded in the last three years.
Source: SL 2009, ch 10, § 3; SL 2012, ch 10, § 1.
1-27-1.3. Liberal construction of public access to public records law--Certain criminal investigation and contract negotiation records exempt. The provisions of §§ 1-27-1 to 1-27-1.15, inclusive, and 1-27-4 shall be liberally construed whenever any state, county, or political subdivision fiscal records, audit, warrant, voucher, invoice, purchase order, requisition, payroll, check, receipt, or other record of receipt, cash, or expenditure involving public funds is involved in order that the citizens of this state shall have the full right to know of and have full access to information on the public finances of the government and the public bodies and entities created to serve them. Use of funds as needed for criminal investigatory/confidential informant purposes is not subject to this section, but any budgetary information summarizing total sums used for such purposes is public. Records which, if disclosed, would impair present or pending contract awards or collective bargaining negotiations are exempt from disclosure.
Source: SL 2009, ch 10, § 4.
1-27-1.4. Denial letters to be kept on file. Each public body shall maintain a file of all letters of denial of requests for records. This file shall be made available to any person on request.
Source: SL 2009, ch 10, § 5.
(27) Any other record made closed or confidential by state or federal statute or rule or as necessary to participate in federal programs and benefits.
Source: SL 2009, ch 10, § 6; SL 2012, ch 11, § 1.
(8) Any production records, mineral assessments, and trade secrets submitted by a permit holder, mine operator, or landowner to any public body.
Source: SL 2009, ch 10, § 7.
1-27-1.7. Certain drafts, notes, and memoranda exempt from disclosure. Drafts, notes, recommendations, and memoranda in which opinions are expressed or policies formulated or recommended are exempt from disclosure pursuant to §§ 1-27-1 to 1-27-1.15, inclusive.
Source: SL 2009, ch 10, § 8.
1-27-1.8. Certain records relevant to court actions exempt from disclosure. Any record that is relevant to a controversy to which a public body is a party but which record would not be available to another party under the rules of pretrial discovery for causes pending in circuit court are exempt from disclosure pursuant to §§ 1-27-1 to 1-27-1.15, inclusive.
Source: SL 2009, ch 10, § 9.
1-27-1.9. Documents or communications used for decisional process arising from person's official duties not subject to compulsory disclosure. No elected or appointed official or employee of the state or any political subdivision may be compelled to provide documents, records, or communications used for the purpose of the decisional or deliberative process relating to any decision arising from that person's official duties. Any document that is otherwise already public is not made confidential by reason of having been used in deliberations.
Source: SL 2009, ch 10, § 14; SL 2013, ch 11, § 1.
1-27-1.10. Redaction of certain information. In response to any request pursuant to § 1-27-36 or 1-27-37, a public record officer may redact any portion of a document which contains information precluded from public disclosure by § 1-27-3 or which would unreasonably invade personal privacy, threaten public safety and security, disclose proprietary information, or disrupt normal government operations. A redaction under this section is considered a partial denial for the application of § 1-27-37.
Source: SL 2009, ch 10, § 15.
1-27-1.11. Subscription or license holder list of Department of Game, Fish and Parks and certain insurance applicant and policyholder information available for fee--Resale or redistribution prohibited--Misdemeanor. Any subscription or license holder list maintained by the Department of Game, Fish and Parks may be made available to the public for a reasonable fee. State agencies are exempt from payment of this fee for approved state use. The Game, Fish and Parks Commission may promulgate rules pursuant to chapter 1-26 to establish criteria for the sale and to establish the fee for the sale of such lists.
Any automobile liability insurer licensed in the state, or its certified authorized agent, may have access to the name and address of any person licensed or permitted to drive a motor vehicle solely for the purpose of verifying insurance applicant and policyholder information. An insurer requesting any such name and address shall pay a reasonable fee to cover the costs of producing such name and address. The Department of Public Safety shall set such fee by rules promulgated pursuant to chapter 1-26.
Any list released or distributed under this section may not be resold or redistributed. Violation of this section by the resale or redistribution of any such list is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Source: SL 2009, ch 10, § 16.
1-27-1.12. Chapter inapplicable to Unified Judicial System. The provisions of this chapter do not apply to records and documents of the Unified Judicial System.
Source: SL 2009, ch 10, § 17.
1-27-1.13. Certain records not available to inmates. The secretary of corrections may prohibit the release of information to inmates or their agents regarding correctional operations, department policies and procedures, and inmate records of the requesting inmate or other inmates if the release would jeopardize the safety or security of a person, the operation of a correctional facility, or the safety of the public. This section does not apply to an inmate's attorney requesting information that is subject to disclosure under this chapter.
Source: SL 2009, ch 10, § 19.
1-27-1.14. Redaction of records in office of register of deeds not required. This chapter does not require the redaction of any record, or any portion of a record, which is recorded in the office of the register of deeds.
Source: SL 2009, ch 10, § 21; SL 2010, ch 214, § 1.
1-27-1.15. Immunity for good faith denial or provision of record. No civil or criminal liability may attach to a public official for the mistaken denial or provision of a record pursuant to this chapter if that action is taken in good faith.
Source: SL 2009, ch 10, § 22.
1-27-1.16. Material relating to open meeting agenda item to be available--Exceptions--Violation as misdemeanor. If a meeting is required to be open to the public pursuant to § 1-25-1 and if any printed material relating to an agenda item of the meeting is prepared or distributed by or at the direction of the governing body or any of its employees and the printed material is distributed before the meeting to all members of the governing body, the material shall either be posted on the governing body's website or made available at the official business office of the governing body at least twenty-four hours prior to the meeting or at the time the material is distributed to the governing body, whichever is later. If the material is not posted to the governing body's website, at least one copy of the printed material shall be available in the meeting room for inspection by any person while the governing body is considering the printed material. However, the provisions of this section do not apply to any printed material or record that is specifically exempt from disclosure under the provisions of this chapter or to any printed material or record regarding the agenda item of an executive or closed meeting held in accordance with § 1-25-2. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor. However, the provisions of this section do not apply to printed material, records, or exhibits involving contested case proceedings held in accordance with the provisions of chapter 1-26.
Source: SL 2010, ch 9, § 1.
1-27-1.17. Draft minutes of public meeting to be available--Exceptions--Violation as misdemeanor. The unapproved, draft minutes of any public meeting held pursuant to § 1-25-1 that are required to be kept by law shall be available for inspection by any person within ten business days after the meeting. However, this section does not apply if an audio or video recording of the meeting is available to the public on the governing body's website within five business days after the meeting. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor. However, the provisions of this section do not apply to draft minutes of contested case proceedings held in accordance with the provisions of chapter 1-26.
Source: SL 2010, ch 9, § 3.
1-27-1.18. Recommendations, findings, and reports of appointed working groups to be reported in open meeting--Action by governing body. Any final recommendations, findings, or reports that result from a meeting of a committee, subcommittee, task force, or other working group which does not meet the definition of a political subdivision or public body pursuant to § 1-25-1, but was appointed by the governing body, shall be reported in open meeting to the governing body which appointed the committee, subcommittee, task force, or other working group. The governing body shall delay taking any official action on the recommendations, findings, or reports until the next meeting of the governing body.
Source: SL 2010, ch 9, § 4.
1-27-1.19. Public access to records of former Governors and lieutenant governors. The records of any Governor and any lieutenant governor are the property of the state and shall be transferred to his or her successor or the state archivist upon leaving office. Once transferred, public access to such records is subject to the provisions of chapter 1-27.
Source: SL 2012, ch 12, § 1.
1-27-1.20. Exempt records to be opened upon death or ten years after leaving office. Unless released to the public pursuant to § 1-27-1.21, any record of an officer designated in § 1-27-1.19, exempted from the provisions of § 1-27-1, shall be opened to the public upon either the death of the former officer or ten years from the date the officer left office, whichever transpires last.
Source: SL 2012, ch 12, § 2.
1-27-1.21. Right of former Governor and lieutenant governor to approve or deny release of exempt records. Whenever an officer designated in § 1-27-1.19 leaves office and transfers his or her records to the state archivist, the former officer shall retain the right to approve or deny the release of any record exempted from the provisions of § 1-27-1. The former officer may exercise that right either personally or may designate in writing a person to do so to the archivist.
Source: SL 2012, ch 12, § 3.
1-27-1.22. Agreement for transfer of records to suitable repository. The state archivist may enter into agreements with any officer designated in § 1-27-1.19 for the transfer of the former officer's records to a museum, institution of higher learning, or other suitable repository within South Dakota upon determining that such repository will allow for the preservation, study, and public access of such records consistent with §§ 1-27-1.19 to 1-27-1.21, inclusive. Such agreements shall be entered into only after a public hearing.
Source: SL 2012, ch 12, § 4.
1-27-3. Records declared confidential or secret. Section 1-27-1 shall not apply to such records as are specifically enjoined to be held confidential or secret by the laws requiring them to be so kept.
1-27-4. Format of open record. Any record made open to the public pursuant to this chapter shall be maintained in its original format or in any searchable and reproducible electronic or other format. This chapter does not mandate that any record or document be kept in a particular format nor does it require that a record be provided to the public in any format or media other than that in which it is stored.
Source: SL 1963, ch 327, § 1; SL 1971, ch 9; SL 2000, ch 6, § 1; SL 2005, ch 19, § 1; SL 2009, ch 10, § 10.
1-27-4.1. Format of written contracts--Storage with records retention officer or designee--Duration. Any written contract entered by the state, a county, a municipality, or a political subdivision shall be retained in the contract's original format or a searchable and reproducible format. Each contract shall be stored with the records retention officer of that entity or with the designee of the records retention officer unless the contract is required by law to be retained by some other person. Each contract shall be stored during the term of the contract and for two years after the expiration of the contract term.
Source: SL 2009, ch 11, § 1.
1-27-4.2. Availability of contract through internet website or database. Any contract retained pursuant to § 1-27-4.1 may be made available to the public through a publicly accessible internet website or database.
Source: SL 2009, ch 11, § 2.
1-27-6 to 1-27-8. Repealed by SL 2009, ch 10, §§ 11 to 13.
(d) Any other record designated or treated as a state record under state law.
Source: SL 1967, ch 253, § 1; SL 1992, ch 60, § 2; SL 2011, ch 2, § 20.
1-27-10. Records as property of state--Damage or disposal only as authorized by law. All records of public officials of this state required to be kept or maintained by law are the property of the state and may not be mutilated, destroyed, transferred, removed, or otherwise damaged or disposed of, in whole or in part, except as provided by law.
1-27-11. Board to supervise destruction of records--State records manager as ex officio member--Permission required for destruction. There is hereby created a board consisting of the commissioner of administration, state auditor, attorney general, auditor-general, and state archivist to supervise and authorize the destruction of records. The state records manager shall also serve as an ex officio member in an advisory capacity only. No record may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of by any agency of the state unless it is determined by majority vote of the board that the record has no further administrative, legal, fiscal, research, or historical value.
Source: SL 1967, ch 253, § 7; SL 1975, ch 20; SL 1976, ch 19, § 2; SL 2011, ch 2, § 21.
1-27-11.1. Direction and supervision of board by Bureau of Administration--Independent functions retained. The board created by § 1-27-11 shall be administered under the direction and supervision of the Bureau of Administration and the commissioner thereof. The board shall retain the quasi-judicial, quasi-legislative, advisory, other nonadministrative and special budgetary functions (as defined in § 1-32-1) otherwise vested in the board. The board shall exercise those functions independently of the commissioner of administration.
Source: SL 1974, ch 3, § 5 (a); SL 2011, ch 2, § 22.
1-27-12. State records management program to be established. The commissioner of administration shall establish within the organizational structure of the Bureau of Administration a records management program, which will apply efficient and economical management methods to the creation, utilization, maintenance, retention, preservation, and disposal of state records.
1-27-12.1. Records management internal service fund. There is hereby created in the state treasury a records management internal service fund. The commissioner of administration shall apportion all expenses incurred in the administration and operation of the records management program to all state departments, agencies, and institutions utilizing such program. All payments received by the Bureau of Administration pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the records management internal service fund.
1-27-13. Records management procedures proposed by state agencies. The head of each agency shall submit to the commissioner of administration, in accordance with the rules, standards, and procedures established by the commission, schedules proposing the length of time each state record series warrants retention for administrative, legal, or fiscal purposes after it has been received by the agency. However, original invoices and vouchers submitted to the state auditor for payment shall be retained for at least seven years.
Source: SL 1967, ch 253, § 3; SL 2011, ch 2, § 23; SL 2018, ch 44, § 8.
1-27-14. Obsolete records listed by state agencies. The head of each agency, also, shall submit lists of state records in his or her custody that are not needed in the transaction of current business and that do not have sufficient administrative, legal, or fiscal value to warrant further keeping for disposal in conformity with the requirements of § 1-27-11.
Source: SL 1967, ch 253, § 3; SL 2011, ch 2, § 24.
1-27-14.1. Transfer of records by outgoing agency heads--Terminated agency records. Upon termination of employment with the state, each agency head shall transfer his or her records to a successor or to the state archives for appraisal and permanent retention. The records of any state agency shall, upon termination of its existence or functions, be transferred to the custody of the archivist.
Source: SL 1975, ch 24, § 7; SL 1987, ch 393 (Ex. Ord. 87-4), § 17; SL 2011, ch 2, § 25.
1-27-14.2. Transfer of jeopardized nonessential agency material to state archivist. If any material of actual or potential archival significance is determined by a state agency to be at risk of destruction or deterioration, and the material is not essential to the conduct of daily business in the agency of origin, the agency head may transfer the records to the physical and legal custody of the state archivist if the archivist is willing and able to receive the records.
Source: SL 1975, ch 24, § 10; SL 2011, ch 2, § 26.
1-27-14.3. Title to transferred records pending formal transfer. Any record transferred to the physical custody of the archivist remains the legal property of the agency of origin, subject to all existing copyrights and statutory provisions regulating the record's usage, until such time as the agency head formally transfers legal title to the archivist.
Source: SL 1975, ch 24, § 8; SL 2011, ch 2, § 27.
1-27-15. Destruction of nonrecord materials. Any nonrecord material not included within the definition of records as contained in § 1-27-9 may be destroyed at any time by the agency in possession of such materials without the prior approval of the commissioner of administration.
Source: SL 1967, ch 253, § 8; SL 2011, ch 2, § 28.
1-27-16. Rules, standards, and procedures. The commissioner of administration shall promulgate such rules, standards, and procedures as are necessary or proper to effectuate the purposes of §§ 1-27-9 to 1-27-18, inclusive, except that rules, standards, and procedures relating to disposal of records pursuant to § 1-27-11 shall be issued by the board created by § 1-27-11.
1-27-17. Legislative and judicial records management programs. Upon request, the commissioner of administration shall assist and advise in the establishment of records management programs in the legislative and judicial branches of state government. The commissioner may, as required by each branch, provide program services similar to those available to the executive branch of state government pursuant to the provisions of §§ 1-27-9 to 1-27-16, inclusive.
Source: SL 1967, ch 253, § 5; SL 2011, ch 2, § 29.
1-27-18. Local records management programs. The governing body of each county, municipality, township, district, authority, or any public corporation or political entity, whether organized and existing under charter or under general law, shall promote and implement the principles of efficient records management for local records. The governing body may, as far as practical, follow the program established for the management of state records. The commissioner of administration may, upon the request of a governing body, provide advice and assistance in the establishment of a local records management program.
1-27-19. Annual meeting to authorize destruction of political subdivision records--Record of disposition. The State Record Destruction Board shall meet at least once each year and consider requests of all political subdivisions for the destruction of records and to authorize their destruction as in the case of state records. However, in the case of any records recommended to be destroyed, the board shall require a record to be kept of the disposition of the documents.
1-27-20. English as common language--Use in public records and public meetings. The common language of the state is English. The common language is designated as the language of any official public document or record and any official public meeting.
1-27-21. Public document or record defined--Public meeting. For the purposes of §§ 1-27-20 to 1-27-25, inclusive, an official public document or record is any document officially compiled, published, or recorded by the state including deeds, publicly probated wills, records of births, deaths, and marriages, and any other document or record required to be kept open for public inspection pursuant to chapter 1-27. An official public meeting is any meeting or proceeding required to be open to the public pursuant to chapter 1-25.
Source: SL 1995, ch 9, § 2.
(6) When expert testimony, witnesses, or speakers require a language other than the common language. However, for purposes of deliberation, decision making, or record keeping, the official version of such testimony or commentary shall be the officially translated English language version.
Source: SL 1995, ch 9, § 3; SL 2016, ch 13, § 1.
1-27-23. Repealed by SL 2016, ch 13, § 2.
1-27-24. Effect of common language requirement on state employment. No person may be denied employment with the state or any political subdivision of the state based solely upon that person's lack of facility in a foreign language, except where related to bona fide job needs reflected in the exemptions in § 1-27-22.
1-27-25. Common language requirements not applicable to private activities. Sections 1-27-20 to 1-27-25, inclusive, may not be construed in any way to infringe upon the rights of citizens under the State Constitution or the Constitution of the United States in the use of language in any private activity. No agency or officer of the state nor any political subdivision of the state may place any restrictions or requirements regarding language usage in any business operating in the private sector other than official documents, forms, submissions, or other communications directed to government agencies and officers, which communications shall be in the common language as recognized in §§ 1-27-20 to 1-27-25, inclusive.
Source: SL 1995, ch 9, § 6.
1-27-26. Repealed by SL 2016, ch 13, § 3.
1-27-27. Requesting information or data from a state agency. Before requesting or requiring that any local government provide information or data to a state agency, the state agency shall first determine whether the information or data is available from the Department of Legislative Audit. If the information or data is available from the Department of Legislative Audit, the state agency may not require the local government to provide the information or data.
1-27-29. Disclosure of information concerning private entity restricted. No state agency may disclose that it is conducting a financial investigation, examination, or audit of a private entity while the financial investigation, examination, or audit is ongoing, except as provided by § 1-27-31.
1-27-30. Confidentiality of proprietary or trade information of private entity. All proprietary or trade secret information obtained by a state agency from or concerning a private entity is confidential, except as provided by § 1-27-31.
(9) Repealed by SL 2004, ch 25, § 4.
(11) To the extent necessary to protect the health or welfare of the citizens of this state or nation pursuant to a court order obtained under the same process as orders issued pursuant to § 15-6-65(b).
1-27-32. Disclosure of confidential information as misdemeanor. Disclosure of information made confidential by §§ 1-27-28 to 1-27-32, inclusive, except as provided in § 1-27-31, is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
1-27-33. Specific public access or confidentiality provisions not superseded by chapter provisions. The provisions of this chapter do not supersede more specific provisions regarding public access or confidentiality elsewhere in state or federal law.
1-27-34. Unified Judicial System and Public Utilities Commission exempt from certain records procedures. The provisions of §§ 1-27-35 to 1-27-43, inclusive, do not apply to the Unified Judicial System or Public Utilities Commission.
Source: SL 2008, ch 14, § 2.
1-27-35. Informal requests for disclosure of records--Costs of retrieval or reproduction. Any informal request for disclosure of documents or records shall be made to the custodian of the record. The custodian of the record may then provide the requestor with the document or record upon payment of the actual cost of mailing or transmittal, the actual cost of reproduction, or other fee established by statute or administrative rule. A requestor that makes an informal request requiring the dedication of staff time in excess of one hour may be required to pay the cost of the staff time necessary for the location, assembly, or reproduction of the public record. If any records are required or permitted to be made public upon request and no other rate is prescribed for reproduction or retrieval of such records, the Bureau of Administration shall establish, by rules promulgated pursuant to chapter 1-26, the maximum rate, or the formula for calculating rates, for reproduction and retrieval.
Source: SL 2008, ch 14, § 3.
1-27-36. Estimate of retrieval and reproduction cost--Waiver or reduction of fee. For any informal request reasonably likely to involve a fee in excess of fifty dollars, the custodian shall provide an estimate of cost to the requestor prior to assembling the documents or records and the requestor shall confirm in writing his or her acceptance of the cost estimate and agreement to pay. The custodian may exercise discretion to waive or reduce any fee required under this section if the waiver or reduction of the fee would be in the public interest.
Source: SL 2008, ch 14, § 4.
(5) If the public record officer fails to respond to a written request within ten business days, or fails to comply with the estimate provided under subsection (1)(3) of this section without provision of a revised estimate, the request shall be deemed denied.
Source: SL 2008, ch 14, § 5.
(6) Any other information relevant to the request that the requestor desires to be considered.
Source: SL 2008, ch 14, § 6.
1-27-39. Response to notice of review. Upon receipt, the Office of Hearing Examiners shall promptly mail a copy of the notice of review filed pursuant to § 1-27-38 and all information submitted by the requestor to the public record officer named in the notice of review. The entity denying the written request may then file a written response to the Office of Hearing Examiners within ten business days. If the entity does not file a written response within ten business days, the Office of Hearing Examiners shall act on the information provided. The Office of Hearing Examiners shall provide a reasonable extension of time to file a written response upon written request or agreement of parties.
Source: SL 2008, ch 14, § 7.
1-27-40. Findings and decision of Office of Hearing Examiners. Upon receipt and review of the submissions of the parties, the Office of Hearing Examiners shall make written findings of fact and conclusions of law, and a decision as to the issue presented. Before issuing a decision, the Office of Hearing Examiners may hold a hearing pursuant to chapter 1-26 if good cause is shown.
Source: SL 2008, ch 14, § 8.
1-27-40.1. Time for compliance with decision or appeal. If the office of hearing examiners enters a decision pursuant to § 1-27-40 concluding that certain records shall be released or that the fee charged pursuant to §§ 1-27-35 and 1-27-36 was excessive, the public entity has thirty days after the opinion is issued to comply with the order or to file an appeal pursuant to § 1-27-41.
Source: SL 2011, ch 11, § 1.
1-27-40.2. Costs, disbursements, and civil penalty for unreasonable, bad faith denial of access. In a civil action filed pursuant to § 1-27-38 or upon an appeal filed pursuant to § 1-27-41, if the court determines that the public entity acted unreasonably and in bad faith the court may award costs, disbursements, and a civil penalty not to exceed fifty dollars for each day that the record or records were delayed through the fault of the public entity. Any civil penalty collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the state general fund.
Source: SL 2011, ch 11, § 2.
1-27-41. Appeal. The aggrieved party may appeal the decision of the Office of Hearing Examiners to the circuit court pursuant to chapter 1-26. In any action or proceeding under §§ 1-27-35 to 1-27-43, inclusive, no document or record may be publicly released until a final decision or judgment is entered ordering its release.
Source: SL 2008, ch 14, § 9.
1-27-42. Public record officer for the state, county, municipality, township, school district, special district, or other entity. The public record officer for the state is the secretary, constitutional officer, elected official, or commissioner of the department, office, or other division to which a request is directed. The public record officer for a county is the county auditor or the custodian of the record for law enforcement records. The public record officer for a first or second class municipality is the finance officer or the clerk or the custodian of the record for law enforcement records. The public record officer for a third class municipality is the president of the board of trustees or the custodian of the record for law enforcement records. The public record officer for an organized township is the township clerk. The public record officer for a school district is the district superintendent or CEO. The public record officer for a special district is the chairperson of the board of directors. The public record officer for any other entity not otherwise designated is the person who acts in the capacity of the chief financial officer or individual as designated by the entity.
Source: SL 2008, ch 14, § 10.
1-27-43. Form of notice of review--Office of Hearing Examiners' notice. The following forms are prescribed for use in the procedures provided for in §§ 1-27-35 to 1-27-42, inclusive, but failure to use or fill out completely or accurately any of the forms does not void acts done pursuant to those sections provided compliance with the information required by those sections is provided in writing.
You must include with the submission of this Notice of Review--Request for Disclosure of Public Records form the following information: (1) A copy of your written request to the public record officer; (2) A copy of the public record officer's denial or response to your written request, if any; and (3) Any other information relevant to the request that you desire to be considered.
I hereby certify that the above information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
TO: (Public Record Officer & Governmental Entity) ______________________________ has filed a Notice of Review--Request for Disclosure of Public Records. A copy of the Notice of Review--Request for Disclosure of Public Records is attached for your review.
The Office of Hearing Examiners may issue its written decision on the information provided and will only hold a hearing if it deems a hearing necessary.
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Hearing Examiners.
Dated this ____ day of ________________, 20____.
Source: SL 2008, ch 14, § 11.
(3) Require any person to use the person's social security number to access an internet website, unless a password or unique personal identification number or other authentication device is also required to access the internet website.
Source: SL 2008, ch 15, § 1.
1-27-45. Searchable internet website for posting and access of public records and financial information. The state shall maintain a searchable internet website for the posting and access of public records and financial information of the state, municipalities, counties, school districts, and other political subdivisions. The content and operation of the website shall be administered jointly by the Bureau of Administration, Bureau of Finance and Management, and Bureau of Information and Telecommunications.
Source: SL 2009, ch 12, § 1.
1-27-46. Contracts to be displayed on searchable internet website. The state shall display on the searchable internet website created pursuant to § 1-27-45 copies of each written contract for supplies, services, or professional services of ten thousand dollars or more, each written contract filed with the state auditor pursuant to § 1-24A-1, and each written contract filed with the attorney general pursuant to § 1-11-15. Each contract shall be displayed electronically not less than sixty days after commencement of the contract term and for not less than the retention period prescribed by § 1-27-4.1.
Source: SL 2010, ch 10, § 1; SL 2018, ch 44, § 6.
1-27-47. Affordability of public access to electronic records database. A public entity that creates or maintains an electronic public records database or that enters into a contract for an electronic public records database shall consider the cost and affordability of public access.
Source: SL 2013, ch 12, § 1.
(2) Such information as may be reasonably necessary for a member of the public to request the public information that is stored in the electronic records system.
Source: SL 2013, ch 12, § 2.

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