Search Results for: 6253(b) copy – Page 8

A&A: Is it legal to charge fees for viewing a transcript?

Q: My organization is being charged a fee to view parole hearing transcripts–not copy; simply view. We are also told we will be charged to view the complete parole board’s response to a public hearing. We would like an opinion on the legality of this policy A: It sounds like you know that under the Public Records Act, “[p]ublic records are open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or

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A&A: Can’t access documents because the staff member in possession is on extended vacation

Q: I requested e-mail records from a  public agency months ago. I am still waiting for many of these records and have been informed that the person who has access to these records will be on vacation for at least another month. Does the government have the right to delay responding to my request for months due to vacations? If not, do you have any cases I can mention to the agency that cover this

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A&A:Denied access to county’s seismic studies

Q: I have been seeking access to seismic studies performed as part of the county’s subway extension process but my request has been denied. I would like to make the request under the FOIA. How should I do this? Does the County have its own FOIA? A: Since it sounds like the agency you are seeking records from is a local agency, as opposed to a federal agency, you would probably want to make your

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A&A: Am I allowed to make my own copies instead of paying the agency fees?

Q: A local government agency has allowed me to inspect public records per a PRA request, but refuses to allow me to make copies at my own expense. Instead they maintain the position that my rights end at inspection and I would need to pay them to make any copies. Are you aware of any case(s) or statute(s) which support this position? A: With respect to copies, the Public Records Act, at Govt. Code section

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A&A:Costs soar for City Council meeting DVDs

Q: I know that cities cannot charge for staff time when it comes to making photocopies in public records requests. Does this extend to DVDs as well? It appears we are being charged staff time, so DVDs now cost $18 each. Previously I was able to get them free by bringing in a blank DVD disc, which is of minimal cost to me. I can deal with $5, but $18 per meeting DVD is much

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