<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".15" citation="COMAR 14.09.16.15" title_num="14" subtitle_num="09" chapter_num="16" heading="Fees.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Except as provided in §§B and C of this regulation, the fee schedule for copying and certifying copies of public records of the Commission is as follows:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The fee for each copy made by a standard printer or a photocopying machine within the Commission is 25 cents per page;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The fee for each copy made otherwise than by a standard printer or a photocopying machine shall be based on the actual cost of reproduction; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>For a public record certified as a true copy, an additional fee of $1 per page (or if appropriate, per item) shall be charged.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Minimum Fee. A charge may not be made if the total fee is $1 or less.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>If the fee for copies or certified copies of any public record of the Commission is specifically set by a law other than the Act or this regulation, the custodian shall charge the prescribed fee.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>If the custodian cannot copy a public record within the Commission, the custodian shall make arrangements for the prompt reproduction of the record at public or private facilities outside the Commission. The custodian shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Collect from the applicant a fee to cover the actual cost of reproduction; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Direct the applicant to pay the cost of reproduction directly to the facility making the copy.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Before copying a public record of the Commission, the custodian shall estimate both the cost of reproduction and the search and preparation fee under §F of this regulation and either:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Obtain the agreement of the applicant to pay the cost; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Demand prepayment of all or a portion of the cost.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Search and Preparation Fee.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Except as provided in §G of this regulation, the custodian may charge a reasonable fee for time that an official or employee of the Commission spends to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Search for requested public records;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Review requested public records for potential disclosure; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Prepare public records for inspection and copying.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The custodian shall determine the fee under §F(1) of this regulation by multiplying actual time attributable to the search for, review of, and preparation of public records for inspection and/or copying by $100 per hour for clerical staff time and $200 per hour for information technology staff time.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>The custodian may not charge a search or preparation fee under §F of this regulation for the first 2 hours needed to search for and prepare a public record for inspection.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>Waiver or Reduction of Fee.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The official custodian may waive or reduce any fee set under this regulation if:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The applicant requests a waiver; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Either:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The custodian determines that the waiver or reduction is in the public interest; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The applicant is indigent and files an affidavit verifying the facts that support a claim of indigency.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>In determining whether a fee waiver is in the public interest, the custodian shall consider, among other relevant factors, the ability of the applicant to pay the fee.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>If the applicant requests that copies of a public record be mailed or delivered to the applicant or to a third party, the custodian may charge the applicant for the cost of postage or delivery.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>