R1A2

The UIPA does not limit the use by private individuals of records obtained under its provisions. The requester's purpose, with a few exceptions noted infra, generally becomes relevant only when disclosure occurs between or as a result of interagency disclosure or when disclosure is governed by a statute or provision other than the UIPA. See Right to Inspect Your Medical File Possessed by State Department of Public Safety, OIP Op. Ltr. No.

The Nebraska public records statutes do not condition access on the purpose for which records are sought.

A person's motive for requesting the information cannot be a consideration in determining whether the information must be disclosed. Indus. Found. of the South  v. Tex. Indus. Accident Bd., 540 S.W.2d 668, 674 (Tex. 1976), cert. denied, 430 U.S. 931 (1977); see also A & T Consultants Inc. v. Sharp, 904 S.W.2d 668, 676 (Tex.

A person need not state a purpose for a request for public records. Furthermore, the statute prohibits public agencies from inquiring as to why a person wants to a public record, "except to verify the identity of the person requesting a record . . . to ensure that the requested record or information will not be used for purposes of a mailing or telephone list prohibited by section 9-348, Idaho Code, or as otherwise provided by law." Idaho Code § 9-338(4).

In general, the motive of the requester does not affect the requester's right to receive records. However, reporters are entitled to special access to criminal history records "for communication to the public." N.R.S. 179A.100(5)(l).

Under GRAMA, a requester’s purpose is irrelevant to his or her right to inspect and receive copies of records.

The FOIA states that a public body may not require the requester to specify the purpose for a request, except to determine whether the records are requested for a commercial purpose or whether to grant a request for a fee waiver. 5 ILCS 140.3(c).  But it is a violation of the FOIA for a requester to knowingly obtain a public record for a commercial purpose without disclosing that it is for a commercial purpose, if requested to do so by the public body. 5 ILCS 140/3.1(c).

Access to records under the Statute is not governed by the requester's purpose. Union Leader Corp. v. City of Nashua, 141 N.H. 473 (1996) (plaintiff's motives irrelevant).

(This section is blank. See the point above.)

"No request may be denied because the person making the request refuses to state the purpose of the request, unless such condition is required by other applicable statute." Ind. Code § 5-14-3-3(a).