§ 9-2-413 — Reproduction of public records of political subdivisions

(a) Subject to this section and with the approval of the
governing body of the political subdivision, any department,
agency, board or individual of any political subdivision may
record or copy by any permanent reproductive process approved by
the director as required in subsection (c) of this section any
public record which the department, agency, board or individual
of the political subdivision records, keeps, retains, or is by
law, rule or regulation required to record, keep or retain for a
period of years or permanently. The permanent reproduction is
deemed the original or official copy of the public record so
reproduced for all purposes. If any department, agency, board or
individual of any political subdivision is required to record
any writing or document in books or on other forms, recording
done directly onto a permanent storage medium in lieu of the
other required form of recordation constitutes compliance with
the requirement. One (1) copy shall be made and sent to the
director whenever any process is used to reproduce public
records with the intent of disposing of the original or copies
of the original. One (1) copy of all permanent reproductions
shall be retained by the governmental entity or officer having
custody of the writings or papers thus recorded or copied as the
official copy.
(b) If any document is presented for recording or notation
in public records the document shall, after recording, be
returned to the party from whom it was received. If the party
cannot be located or refuses to accept it, the document shall be
disposed of in accordance with W.S. 9-2-411.
(c) Prior to adopting any reproductive process, the
governing body of a political subdivision shall consult with the
director. If any of the public records which are reproduced
pursuant to this section are permanent records or, under the
laws, rules or regulations in effect at the time of
reproduction, are required to be transferred at a later date to
any agency or department of the state, the reproductive process
shall be approved by the director as one which clearly and
accurately makes copies that will last the time they are to be
kept, or can be subsequently reproduced without distortions that
substantially affect their legibility.
(d) If the original documents are disposed of as allowed
by law, the permanent reproduction retained by the local
governmental entity or official shall be stored in a safe place
and protected from destruction. Reproductions shall be available
to the public for inspection in the same manner as the original
documents would have been, and sufficient access shall be
available to the public to permit inspection.
(e) The clerk of district court shall not reproduce, for
official record purposes, the files of any action or proceeding
kept in his office until two (2) years have lapsed since the
initial filing in the action or proceeding. The clerk of
district court may make certified or other copies of documents
in his office for individuals or officials.
(f) In recording, reproducing or copying any public
records as authorized by this section and in disposing of the
originals or copies, no restrictions or provisions of law
regarding recording, reproducing or copying, or the disposition
of originals or copies inconsistent with this section apply to
the governmental entity or its officers, agents and employees.