Arizona Regulations § R2-20-804 Request for Exemptions

A. An original source who has reason to believe their identity will or could be subject to disclosure under Chapter 6.1 of Title 16 may file a request for exemption pursuant to A.R.S. § 16-973 (F) at any time. An original source who has not opted out of having their monies used for campaign media spending may file a request for an exemption with the Executive Director no later than 14 days after the notice to opt out is given. In the event an original source did not receive a notice to opt out, the person may file a request for exemption with the Executive Director no later than 21 days after discovering their monies may be or have been used for campaign media spending.

B. In the event the request provides documentation of a court order requiring confidentiality, the Executive Director shall confirm the validity of the court order in five days. If the order is confirmed, the Executive Director shall issue a letter to the requestor stating that their identity shall not be disclosed. In the event that the order is not confirmed, the Executive Director shall issue a letter to the requestor stating their identity may be disclosed.

C. In the event that the person making the request claims a statute provides for such confidentiality, the request shall include a citation to the statute and argument why the statute applies to require confidentiality. The Executive Director may make a recommendation to the Commission. The Executive Director shall place the item on an agenda no later than the next regular Commission meeting. The person and their counsel may appear. In order to protect the interests of the original source pending a determination, the Commission may vote to go into executive session to protect confidential information and if warranted for other reasons authorized by the Open Meeting Law. For purposes of this rule, the person and their counsel shall be deemed individuals whose presence is reasonably necessary in order for the public body to carry out its executive session responsibilities if the Commission votes to go into executive session pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.03 (A)(2) . No vote may be taken in the executive session. If the Commission decides that the statute applies by a roll call vote in public session in favor of the request, the Executive Director shall issue a letter to the requestor within five days stating that their identity shall not be disclosed. If the Commission does not vote that the statute applies by roll call vote in favor of the request, the Executive Director shall issue a letter to the requestor within five days stating that their identity may be disclosed.

D. In the event the person making the request claims that there is a reasonable probability that they or their family will experience threats of physical harm, the request shall provide such evidence. The request may also include argument in favor of the request.

E. The agenda shall not identify the requestor.

F. No records related to a request shall be subject to a public records request or any other type of request. The records shall not be produced absent a court order compelling disclosure.

G. All records except the Executive Director's letter shall be destroyed within 30 days after the determination, unless timely review of the Commission's action is sought. The Executive Director's letter shall not be made public except by a court order.