Opinion ID: 2759948
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: conclusion

Text: Some records are exempt from disclosure under the PRA. Agencies withholding or redacting records must identify the specific exemptions they believe apply and provide a brief explanation as to why. We hold that the city of Lakewood violated this requirement and that Koenig is entitled to attorney costs and fees for vindicating his right to receive a response. We remand to the trial court for entry of an attorney fee award in accordance with this opinion. 13 City ofLakewood v. Koenig, No. 89648-8 WE CONCUR: 14 City of Lakewood v. Koenig No. 89648-8 MADSEN, C.J. (dissenting)-The Public Records Act (PRA) grants costs and reasonable attorney fees for vindicating the right to receive a response to a public record request within a reasonable time. RCW 42.56.550(4). The plain language of the statute simply entitles a person to receive a timely answer. Although we have interpreted response to include the right to receive a brief explanation, Sanders v. State, 169 Wn.2d 827, 848,240 PJd 120 (2010), the majority now expands brief explanation to mean that an agency must correctly justify its response when it redacts or withholds a document. The PRA does not support this result.