CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A website that tracks public records requests throughout state and local governments will be up and running by Friday, meeting a deadline spelled out in state law, Secretary of State Natalie Tennant said.
Tennant told The Associated Press the website will list agencies, what was requested, when it was requested and who asked for the information. It will say how much agencies charged and whether they partly or entirely granted requests, or denied them, and reasons for denials. It will also include the date that the request was formally completed.
The site won’t include the actual agency records produced in response.
Local and state entities must begin submitting information on requests made Friday and afterward. The law doesn’t include penalties for agencies that don’t comply.
Tennant said the website will provide additional transparency, particularly for requests made during election season…