(1) Any person who objects to the initial denial or partial denial of a request for a public record subject to chapter 42.56 RCW may petition in writing (including e-mail) to the public records officer for a review of that decision. The petition shall include a copy of or reasonably identify the decision denying the request.

(2) If the petition concerns records of the executive branch of county government the public records officer shall serve as the reviewing authority unless the public records officer made the original decision in which case the county executive shall designate a different county officer as the reviewing authority, which designation may be made on a case-by-case or other basis. If the petition concerns records of the legislative branch of county government, the officer having final decision-making authority under SCC 2.51.035(3) shall serve as the reviewing authority, and the public records officer shall promptly provide the petition and other relevant information to that officer.

(3) The reviewing authority shall consider the petition and affirm or reverse the denial within two business days after the public records officer’s receipt of the petition, or within such other time as the county and the requestor may mutually agree.

(4) A person whose public records request is denied may seek judicial review at the conclusion of two business days after the initial denial regardless of any internal administrative appeal. (Added by Amended Ord. 03-024, Apr. 16, 2003, Eff date May 1, 2003; Amended by Amended Ord. 06-019, Apr. 19, 2006, Eff date May 4, 2006; Amended by Ord. 10-061, Aug. 18, 2010, Eff date Aug. 30, 2010).