D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 15, r. 15-705

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 52, December 27, 2024

Rule 15-705 - FEES

705.1

Charges for services rendered in response to FOIA requests shall be as follows:

(a) Searching for records, four dollars ($4.00) per quarter-hour, after the first hour, by clerical personnel (DS 1 through 8);

(b) Searching for records, seven dollars ($7.00) per quarter-hour, after the first hour, by professional personnel (DS 9 through 13);

(c) Searching for records, ten dollars ($10.00) per quarter-hour, after the first hour, by supervisory personnel (DS 14 and above);

(d) Copies made by photocopying machines, twenty-five cents ($.25) per page; and

(e) Charges for the initial review of documents, as permitted by § 2-532 (2016 Repl.) shall be assessed at the rate provided in subsections (a)-(c) above.

705.2

When a response to a request requires services or materials for which no fee has been established, the direct cost of the services or materials to the Commission may be charged, but only if the person making the request has been notified of the cost before it is incurred.

705.3

Where an extensive number of documents are identified and collected in response to a request, and the person making the request has not indicated in advance their willingness to pay fees as high as are anticipated for copies of the document, the FOIA Officer shall inform the person that the documents are available for inspection and for copying at the established rate.

705.4

A charge of one dollar ($1.00) shall be made for each certification of true copies of Commission records.

705.5

Search costs, not to exceed any dollar limitation prescribed by the FOIA Act for each request, may be imposed even if the requested record cannot be found. Fees will not be charged for Commission review of a record to determine if it is subject to disclosure.

705.6

Payment of fees prescribed by these rules shall be paid in accordance with the FOIA Act.

705.7

Remittances shall be in the form either of a personal check or bank draft on a bank in the United States, a postal money order, or by any other electronic means as established by the Commission. Remittance shall be made payable to the D.C. Treasurer and mailed or hand-delivered to the Secretary of the Commission, or submitted by any other electronic means as established by the Commission.

705.8

A receipt for fees paid shall be given only upon request. No refund shall be made for services rendered.

705.9

The FOIA Officer may waive all or part of any fee when it is deemed to be either in the Commission's interest or in the interest of the public. A requester seeking a waiver or reduction of fees shall provide a statement in their request letter explaining how the records will be used to benefit the general public.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 15, r. 15-705

Final Rulemaking published at 33 DCR 7053, 7056 (November 14, 1986); Final Rulemaking published at 68 DCR 13097 (12/10/2021)