<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".15" citation="COMAR 28.01.04.15" title_num="28" subtitle_num="01" chapter_num="04" heading="Fees.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Copies. Except as provided in §§B and C of this regulation, the fees for reproducing public records of the Office in the form of copies, printouts, or photographs, and for certifying the reproductions, are as follows:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Reproduction.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>For each reproduction made other than by a photocopying machine within the Office, the actual cost of reproduction; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>For each copy made by a photocopying machine within the Office, 25 cents per page.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Certification. If a person requests that a reproduction of a public record be certified as a true copy, an additional fee of $1 per page (or if appropriate, per item) shall be charged.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Minimum Fee. No charge will be made if the total fee is $10 or less.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Notwithstanding §A of this regulation, if the fee for reproduction or certification of a public record of the Office is specifically set by a law other than the Act or this regulation, the custodian shall charge the prescribed fee.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>If the custodian cannot reproduce a public record within the Office, the custodian shall arrange for the prompt reproduction of the public record and either:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Collect from the applicant a fee equal to the actual cost of reproduction; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Direct the applicant to pay the cost of reproduction directly to the reproduction facility.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Before reproducing a public record of the Office, the custodian shall estimate the cost of reproduction and either:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Obtain the agreement of the applicant to pay the cost; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Require prepayment of all or a portion of the cost.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Search and Preparation Fee.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Except as provided in §F of this regulation, the custodian may charge a reasonable fee for time that an official or employee of the Office 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 reproduction.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The custodian shall determine the fee under §E(1) of this regulation by multiplying the employee’s salary, prorated to an hourly basis, by the actual time attributable to the search for, review of, and preparation of public records for inspection and reproduction.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>The custodian may not charge a fee under §E of this regulation for the first 2 hours spent searching for and preparing public records for inspection.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Waiver or Reduction of Fees.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The official custodian may waive or reduce a fee 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 of Indigence or other affidavit sufficient to support a claim of indigence pursuant to COMAR 28.03.01.06B.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>In determining whether a fee is in the public interest, the custodian shall consider relevant factors, including the ability of the applicant to pay the fee.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>If the applicant requests that a reproduction 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>