Public Records Request

Public Records Request Excluding records exempted under Mississippi law, the Commission responds to public records requests pursuant to the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983, Miss. Code Ann.§ 25-61-1, et seq. in accordance with the following procedures: A. Requests for public records must be made in writing and submitted to the Mississippi Arts Commission, attention of “Requests for Public Records,” by email to prr@arts.ms.gov or by mail to 455 North Lamar Street, Suite 2A, Jackson, MS 39202. B. A request for a public record should describe in reasonable detail the records sought and, if possible, include a clear and concise description of the record desired including pertinent information such as names, date, etc. that may aid the Commission in locating the requested record(s). I. The Commission has no duty to create a record to respond to a public records request. 2. A public records request is one for an identifiable record and is not a request for information. C. The Commission shall either produce or deny production of the records sought within seven (7) business days after receipt of the request. In no event shall the production of documents responsive to a public records request exceed fourteen (14) business days from the date of receipt of the request. D. Pre-payment by the requesting party of the cost estimated by the Commission to review, search, duplicate and/or copy the requested records shall be required. All fees charged in advance by the Commission shall be intended to reimburse the Commission, and in no case, shall exceed, the actual cost incurred by the Commission to research, review, duplicate, copy and/or mail, if applicable, the records responsive to the request. 1. Copy Fees: $ .15 per page 2. Labor Costs: $35.00 per hour E. If the requested records are exempt or privileged under applicable law, the Commission shall deny the request. 1. If any public record contains both exempt and non-exempt material, the Commission shall redact the exempted material and produce the nonexempted material for inspection, examination, copying or reproduction. 2. Records provided to the Commission by third parties which contain trade secrets, or confidential commercial or financial information shall not be subject to inspection, examination, copying or reproduction until notice has been given to the third parties. Unless subject to other exemption(s) or privilege, said records shall be released no later than twenty-one (21) days from the date the third parties are given notice by the Commission unless the third parties have filed in chancery court a petition seeking a protective order on or before the expiration of the twenty-one-day time period. F. In the event a public records request is denied, the Commission shall provide a written explanation to the requestor stating, with specificity, the reason(s) for the denial of the production of the requested records.