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<br />ATTACHMENT B <br /> <br />From: Attorney General John Kroger <br />mailto:attorneygeneral@doj.state.or.us] <br />Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2010 1:38 PM <br />To: GISSINER Mark A <br />Subject: A Step Toward Greater Transparency <br /> <br />DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE <br />OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL <br />October 7, 2010 <br /> <br />Dear Mark, <br /> <br />Since announcing the Attorney General's Government Transparency <br />Initiative last December, Attorney General John Kroger conducted a <br />statewide outreach effort to hear from Oregonians committed to making <br />state government more accessible. Released today, the Attorney General's <br />Government Transparency Report summarizes the input he received, the <br />current state of transparency and where we should make changes to the <br />law. <br /> <br />We are also happy to announce that the 2010 Attorney General's Public <br />Records and Meetings Manual has been published and is now online. This <br />document is prepared every two years by the Oregon Department of Justice <br />and serves as a reference guide for citizens and public officials to <br />ensure that their government is acting in compliance with the law. <br /> <br />Changes in the 2010 Manual reflect new legislation, recent court <br />decisions and a fresh look at previous interpretations of Oregon Public <br />Records Law: <br /> <br />*For the first time ever the Manual is free, available online and in a <br />searchable HTML format. This new format allows for regular updates, <br />ensuring that the public has access to the most current interpretation of <br />the law. <br /> <br />*The term "reasonable timeframe" to respond to a typical record request <br />is defined as 10 working days. The length of a "reasonable timeframe" - a <br />figure which every public body relies upon - had never before been <br />clarified. <br /> <br />*Consideration of the public's interest for fee waiver requests is now <br />required. Previously, public bodies were invited to assess how much they <br />would be burdened by waiving or reducing their fees without placing the <br />public's interest on the other side of the scale. <br /> <br />*The section that describes how to appeal a public body's decision has <br />been completely reorganized. It is now more accurate and, hopefully, <br />easier to follow. <br /> <br />We hope that you will take the time to read the report and join our <br />effort to transform Oregon Public Records Law in the upcoming legislative <br />session. As always, if you have comments or questions please do not <br />hesitate to contact the Attorney General's office at <br />attorneygeneral@doj.state.or.us. We always enjoy hearing from you. <br />