OPRD & Public Records, July 3

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is proposing amendments to agency rules related to fees for public records. The rule hasn’t been updated in decades, and the amendments would make the department’s rules consistent with Oregon agency standards. The deadline for public comment on the amendments is July 31, 2017. Current rules still contain references to facsimiles, audio tapes, and printed photographs, formats which have largely been replaced by their digital equivalents. The other changes increase hourly rates for staff time needed to fulfill record requests, and specify reduced or waived rates when necessary to serve the public interest. The department fulfills 8-10 formal public record requests a year. Because most records are already digital, it normally satisfies the requests by delivering the documents over the Internet at no charge for either materials or staff time. The full text of the amendment to Oregon Administrative Rule 736-001-0030 is available online at http://bit.ly/1m7LOjF, and public comments will be accepted in writing (OPRD, ATTN: Chris Havel, 725 Summer St NE, Suite C, Salem OR 97301) or by email (OPRD.publiccomment@oregon.gov) through 5 p.m., July 31, 2017. After reviewing public comments, agency staff plan to present a final recommended rule for consideration by the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission at its September 20 business meeting.