Wyoming Supreme Court: OK to Charge to See Public Records
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming Supreme Court says public agencies may charge fees to allow inspection of certain electronic records.
The court issued a 3-2 split decision Wednesday denying an appeal from the Wyoming Tribune Eagle newspaper.
The newspaper had sued Laramie County School District No. 1 after the district in 2014 refused to turn over copies of email communications from school board members unless the newspaper paid to compile them on a disc.
The court's majority opinion holds that state law allows public records custodians to charge reasonable fees if complying with an inspection request requires them to copy an electronic record.
Justices Michael Davis and Kate Fox filed a dissenting opinion, saying they believe state law prohibits charging fees for inspection of electronic records.