Welcome to MuckRock's Alaska Public Records Act appeal guide!
Each entry provides background and context about an exemption to the public records laws in all fifty states, as well as federal FOIA. Read more about Alaska's public records law or explore all our expert FOIA guides. Have a public records appeal or information on an exemption we should include? Consider sharing your knowledge with everyone by donating your FOIA appeal language.
Constructive Denial
This guide is for informational purposes only, is general in nature, and is not legal opinion nor legal advice regarding any specific issue or factual circumstance.
There is no legal basis for an agency being completely unresponsive.
Example Appeals
Alaska Public Records Act 2 AAC 96.325 (a): specifically requires that an agency provide a response to a public records request within ten business days of receipt of that request.
By failing to respond to this request within the legally-mandated timeframe, this agency is in violation of the law.
Please provide acknowledgement of this request and the responsive materials forthwith. If such materials cannot be produced, please provide an appropriate explanation for this rejection, as is dictated by this agency's legal obligations under the Alaska Public Records Act. Your accelerated attention to this matter will be greatly appreciated.
Proper Use
An agency has ten days to respond to the initial request.
Improper Use
According to the Alaska Public Records Act:
“Except as otherwise provided in this section, as soon as practicable, but not later than the 10th working day after the date the agency receives a request for public records that complies with this chapter, the public agency shall (1) furnish all requested records that are disclosable; and (2) advise the requester which of the requested records are nondisclosable, if any, and the specific legal authority and specific facts supporting nondisclosure.”