2019 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 14 - Records, Rules, Legal Notices, Oaths
Article 2 - Inspection of Public Records
Section 14-2-9 - Procedure for inspection.

A. Requested public records containing information that is exempt and nonexempt from disclosure shall be separated by the custodian prior to inspection, and the nonexempt information shall be made available for inspection. If necessary to preserve the integrity of computer data or the confidentiality of exempt information contained in a database, a partial printout of data containing public records or information may be furnished in lieu of an entire database. Exempt information in an electronic document shall be removed along with the corresponding metadata prior to disclosure by utilizing methods or redaction tools that prevent the recovery of exempt information from a redacted electronic document.

B. A custodian shall provide a copy of a public record in electronic format if the public record is available in electronic format and an electronic copy is specifically requested. However, a custodian is only required to provide the electronic record in the file format in which it exists at the time of the request.

C. A custodian:

(1) may charge reasonable fees for copying the public records, unless a different fee is otherwise prescribed by law;

(2) shall not charge fees in excess of one dollar ($1.00) per printed page for documents eleven inches by seventeen inches in size or smaller;

(3) may charge the actual costs associated with downloading copies of public records to a computer disk or storage device, including the actual cost of the computer disk or storage device;

(4) may charge the actual costs associated with transmitting copies of public records by mail, electronic mail or facsimile;

(5) may require advance payment of the fees before making copies of public records;

(6) shall not charge a fee for the cost of determining whether any public record is subject to disclosure; and

(7) shall provide a receipt, upon request.

D. Nothing in this section regarding the provision of public data in electronic format shall limit the ability of the custodian to engage in the sale of data as authorized by Sections 14-3-15.1 and 14-3-18 NMSA 1978, including imposing reasonable restrictions on the use of the database and the payment of a royalty or other consideration.

History: Laws 1993, ch. 258, § 6; 2011, ch. 181, § 2; 2011, ch. 182, § 3; 2013, ch. 117, § 2.

The 2013 amendment, effective April 2, 2013, expanded the authority to sell data; and in Subsection D, after "Sections 14-3-15.1", added "and 14-3-18".

The 2011 amendment, effective June 17, 2011.added the last sentence in Subsection A; added Subsection B and relettered the succeeding subsection; in Subsection C, added Subparagraphs (3) and (4), and renumbered the succeeding subparagraphs; and added a new Subsection D.

Right subject to reasonable restrictions and conditions. — The right to inspect public records commonly carries with it the right to make copies thereof, subject, however, to reasonable restrictions and conditions imposed as to their use, reasonable regulations as to appropriate times when and places where they may be inspected and copied and such reasonable supervision by the custodian thereof as may be necessary for their safety and as will secure equal opportunity for all to inspect and copy them. Ortiz v. Jaramillo, 1971-NMSC-041, 82 N.M. 445, 483 P.2d 500.

Recording Act governs real property records request. — Where plaintiff corporation sought all of Lea county's real property image and index records, the production provisions of the Recording Act, 14-8-1 to -17 NMSA 1978, rather than those of the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), 14-2-1 to -12 NMSA 1978, governed the county's obligation in responding to plaintiff's records request, because IPRA creates a records inspection scheme of general application granting, with various exceptions, a right to inspect public records of this state, and the Recording Act more specifically provides a mechanism by which prospective purchasers can examine real property records, and places on county clerks associated duties to make these records available and searchable for the public. TexasFile LLC v. Board of Cty. Comm'rs of Lea Cty., 2019-NMCA-038, cert. denied.

Right to make copies. — The right to inspect or examine public records commonly includes the right of making copies thereof as the right to inspect would be valueless without this correlative right. 1959 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 59-170.

It is permissible for an individual or a company such as an abstractor to photocopy voter registrations in the offices of the county clerks so long as adequate precautions are taken to ensure the integrity of the records and to preserve their availability for inspection by others. 1959 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 59-170.

Charges not to be imposed. — A charge of $25.00 per month may not be imposed by counties upon abstract and title companies for such facilities as lights, telephone and janitorial services to reimburse the counties therefor in connection with abstract and title companies inspecting and copying public records, because this practice amounts to a denial of the right to inspect records. 1957 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 57-102.

Public's right to inspection is not absolute. 1969 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 69-89.

Court opinions subject to inspection or copying. — The supreme court and the court of appeals are required to make available their current and past opinions to the public for inspection or for copying. 1979 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 79-14.

Reimbursement or other consideration to courts for copying costs. — The supreme court and the court of appeals should require reasonable reimbursement for the costs incurred by them for copying opinions for the public or for retrieving their opinions for inspection. However, such a charge need not be made in those cases in which the courts receive some other form of consideration in return for supplying their opinions to private individuals or enterprises. 1979 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 79-14.

Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — 37A Am. Jur. 2d Freedom of Information Acts § 434 et seq.

What are "records" of agency which must be made available under Freedom of Information Act (5 USCA § 552(a)(3)), 153 A.L.R. Fed. 571.