[No. 34411-4-II. Division Two. June 26, 2007.]
[1] Open Government — Public Disclosure — Enjoining Release — Burden of Proof. Under RCW 42.56.540 (formerly RCW 42.17.330), the disclosure of a public record may be enjoined upon the petition or motion of an interested third party. The interested third party has the burden of proving that the public record should not be disclosed, but the burden arises only if the record is a "public record" within the meaning of the Public Records Act (chapter 42.56 RCW). When it is disputed whether the record sought to be disclosed is a "public record," the initial inquiry is whether the record meets the definition of "public record." Only after a threshold determination is made that the record is a "public record" does the interested third party have the burden of proving that an exemption from public disclosure applies and that disclosure should be enjoined under RCW 42.56.540. [2] Open Government — Public Disclosure — Enjoining Release — Standard of Review. Under RCW 42.56.550, a trial court's refusal to enjoin the disclosure of a public record under RCW 42.56.540 is reviewed de novo. [3] Open Government — Public Disclosure — Judicial Review — Appellate Review — De Novo Review. Under RCW 42.56.550, an appellate court reviews agency actions under the Public Records Act (chapter 42.56 RCW) de novo. [4] Open Government — Public Disclosure — Judicial Review — Appellate Review — Role of Appellate Court. An appellate court reviewing an agency action under the Public Records Act (chapter 42.56 RCW) stands in the same position as the trial court and is not bound by the trial court's findings of fact if the record consists only of affidavits, memoranda of law, and other documentary evidence, and the trial court has not seen or heard testimony requiring it to assess the credibility or competency of witnesses. [5] Appeal — Review — Issues Raised by Amici Curiae — Factors. An appellate court may consider an issue raised on appeal only by an amicus if the issue was raised by a litigant at trial, the issue may arise again, and consideration of the issue by the appellate court would serve the interests of judicial economy. [6] Statutes — Construction — Legislative Intent — In General. The fundamental objective of statutory construction is to ascertain and carry out the legislature's intent. The courts have accepted various tools of statutory construction to ascertain legislative intent, including analyzing legislative history and considering administrative interpretations. A court may also resort to dictionary meanings to assist in interpretation. [7] Open Government — Public Disclosure — Public Records — Statutory Provisions — Scope of Disclosure. The Public Records Act (chapter 42.56 RCW) is a strongly worded mandate for the broad disclosure of public records. The act is designed to provide open access to governmental activities. It requires agencies to disclose any public record upon request, subject to very specific exceptions. [8] Open Government — Public Disclosure — Public Records — Statutory Provisions — Purposes — In General. The stated purpose of the Public Records Act (chapter 42.56 RCW) is to preserve the tenets of representative government, viz., the sovereignty of the people and the accountability to the people of public officials and institutions. [9] Open Government — Public Disclosure — Public Records — What Constitutes — Test. The disclosure requirement of the Public Records Act (chapter 42.56 RCW) applies only to "public records." For purposes of the act, RCW 42.17.020(41) defines "public record" to mean (1) any writing (2) containing information related to the conduct of government or the performance of any governmental or proprietary function (3) prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics. All three elements of this three-prong test must be satisfied for a record to be a "public record." [10] Open Government — Public Disclosure — Public Records — Statutory Provisions — Construction — Broad Construction. The second element of the test for determining whether a document is a "public record" subject to disclosure under the Public Records Act (chapter 42.56 RCW), which concerns whether the document contains "information related to the conduct of government or the performance of any governmental or proprietary function," is broadly interpreted to allow disclosure under the act. [11] Open Government — Public Disclosure — Public Records — What Constitutes — "Use" — By Agency — Review, Evaluation, and Reference to Record. For purposes of the RCW 42.17.020(41) definition of "public record," which includes writings "containing information relating to the conduct of government or the performance of any governmental or proprietary function prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics," a government agency's mere reference to a document that has no relevance to the agency's conduct or performance of agency functions may not constitute "use" of the document, but information that is reviewed, evaluated, or referred to and has an impact on the agency's decision-making process would be within the scope of the act. [12] Open Government — Public Disclosure — Public Records — Statutory Provisions — Construction — Legislative Intent. The legislative intent of the Public Records Act (chapter 42.56 RCW) is to require public access to information concerning the government's conduct. [13] Open Government — Public Disclosure — Public Records — What Constitutes — "Use" — By Agency — Test. For purposes of the RCW 42.17.020(41) definition of "public record," which includes writings "containing information relating to the conduct of government or the performance of any governmental or proprietary function prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics," whether a document is "used" by a government agency depends on how the document relates to the agency's conduct or performance of agency functions or decision-making processes. [14] Gambling — Regulation — Enforcement of State Laws — Financial Statements — Public Disclosure — Status as "Public Record" — Determination. An audited financial statement prepared by a private, nonpublic gaming establishment and filed with the State Gambling Commission as required by WAC 230-40-823 may or may not constitute a "public record" subject to disclosure under the Public Records Act (chapter 42.56 RCW) depending on how the statement is used by the commission. In order to be a public record, the statement must be used by the commission in a manner that relates to the commission's regulatory function. This determination must be based on a specific determination of the commission's use of the statement and not on general assertions about use. [15] Open Government — Public Disclosure — Public Records — Statutory Provisions — Scope - In General. A document that is determined to be a "public record" within the meaning of the Public Records Act (chapter 42.56 RCW) must be disclosed unless a specific statutory exemption applies. [16] Open Government — Public Disclosure — Statutory Provisions — Construction — Liberal or Strict Construction. The disclosure requirements of the Public Records Act (chapter 42.56 RCW) are broadly construed and its exemptions are narrowly construed to promote the disclosure of public documents. [17] Gambling — Regulation — Enforcement of State Laws — Financial Statements — Public Disclosure — Exemptions — Relation to Application for License. An audited financial statement prepared by a gaming establishment and filed with the State Gambling Commission as required by WAC 230-40-823 is not exempt from the disclosure requirement of the Public Records Act (chapter 42.56 RCW) under RCW 42.56.270(10) as information required to obtain a license if the statement has not been considered by the commission in any particular licensing application and is not relevant to a licensing application in the future. The fact that the statement could be relevant in some license applications or that a failure to produce the statement could result in loss of a license does not necessarily relate the statement to a license application within the meaning of RCW 42.56.270(10). [18] Open Government — Public Disclosure — Judicial Review — Appellate Review — New Grounds. A party seeking to prevent the disclosure of a public record may, on appeal, assert a new ground for denying disclosure if the party had little time or opportunity to develop its legal position before being required to act and the appellate court's review is de novo. The appellate court may either consider the new ground or order the trial court to consider the new ground on remand. [19] Appeal — Review — Issues Not Raised in Trial Court — Discretion of Appellate Court. Under RAP 2.5(a), an appellate court may refuse to review any claim of error that was not raised in the trial court. [20] Statutes — Construction — Retroactivity — Presumption — In General. In general, statutes are presumed to apply prospectively only absent some legislative indication to the contrary. [21] Statutes — Construction — Retroactivity — Amendment — In General. An amendment is similar to any other statute and is presumed to apply prospectively only absent some legislative indication to the contrary. [22] Statutes — Construction — Retroactivity — Amendment — Remedial Act — What Constitutes — Test. The presumption that a statutory amendment applies prospectively only may be reversed to favor retroactive application if it is remedial and concerns procedure or forms of remedies. A statutory amendment is remedial if it relates to practice, procedure, or remedies and does not affect a substantive or vested right. A vested right entitled to protection under the due process clause must be something more than a mere expectation based upon an anticipated continuance of the existing law; it must have become a title, legal or equitable, to the present or future enjoyment of property, a demand, or a legal exemption from a demand by another. [23] Gambling — Regulation — Enforcement of State Laws — Financial Statements — Public Disclosure — Exemptions — Auditors' Reports and Financial Statements — Retroactivity. RCW 42.56.270(10)(b), which as enacted in 2007 creates a public disclosure exemption for "[i]ndependent auditors' reports and financial statements of house-banked social card game licensees required by the gambling commission pursuant to rules adopted under chapter 9.46 RCW," is not intended to apply retroactively and may not be applied retroactively to deny a disclosure request made before the statutory provision was enacted. Nature of Action: Two licensed gaming establishments sought an injunction to block public disclosure of their audited financial statements filed with the State Gambling Commission. The plaintiffs argued that their financial statements were not "public documents" or that they were exempt from disclosure as information required to obtain a license and because they contained trade secrets. Superior Court: The Superior Court for Clark County, No. 05-2-05658-8, Barbara D. Johnson, J., on January 23, 2006, entered a judgment denying an injunction. The court found that the financial statements were public records and that they did not contain financial information related to the plaintiffs' gambling licenses. Court of Appeals: Holding that it was not clear whether the financial statements constituted "public records" or whether they might be wholly or partially exempt from disclosure because they relate to an application for a license or because they contain trade secrets, the court reverses the judgment and remands the case for further proceedings. Jennifer Kampsula- (of Kell Alterman & Runstein, LLP) (Thomas R. Rask-, of counsel), for appellants. Robert M. McKenna-, Attorney General, and H. Bruce Marvin-, Assistant, for respondent. Frank L. Miller- and David A. Malone- on behalf of Recreational Gaming Association, amicus curiae. ¶1 PENOYAR, J. — Dragonslayer, Inc., and MT&M Gaming, Inc., two house-banked card rooms, appeal from the trial court's denial of their motion for an injunction to block public disclosure of their audited financial statements. Washington's public disclosure act (PDA) provides that governmental agencies shall make "public records" available for public inspection. Ch. 42.56 RCW. Dragonslayer, MT&M, and amicus curie the Recreational Gaming Association, argue that the financial statements do not meet the "public documents" definition and that, even if they are "public documents," they are exempt from disclosure under RCW 42.56.270(10). Also, they assert that the financial statements are exempt from the PDA because they contain "trade secrets." We remand to the trial court to determine if the financial statements are related to the Washington State Gambling Commission's (Commission) performance of its governmental functions and thus are "public records." We also remand for a determination of whether the financial statements are or contain "trade secrets" and are thus partially or completely exempt from disclosure. We reverse and remand. FACTS ¶2 The Commission licenses, regulates, and monitors gambling activities in Washington and enforces Washington's gambling laws and regulations. It is responsible for keeping the "criminal element" out of gambling and for promoting social welfare by limiting the nature and scope of gambling activities through strict regulation and control. RCW 9.46.010. George Teeny owns two "house banked card rooms": Dragonslayer, Inc., and MT&M Gaming, Inc. Clerk's Papers (CP) at 83. They are located in LaCenter, Washington and are subject to licensure, regulation, and monitoring by the Commission. ¶3 Dragonslayer and MT&M are required under WAC 230-40-823 to file annual audited financial statements with the Commission that contain information about their private business operations. An independent certified public accountant firm prepared the financial statements and Dragonslayer and MT&M submitted them to the Commission. ¶4 Edward Fleisher was involved in business negotiations with Dragonslayer and MT&M and he filed a public records request, asking the Commission to disclose "[c]opies of the most recent audited financial statements filed by the four house[-]banked card rooms in LaCenter, Washington." CP at 6. The Commission notified Dragonslayer and MT&M and indicated that if they did not object, the Commission would release the financial statements to Fleisher. Dragonslayer and MT&M did oppose the disclosure and filed for an injunction to stop the Commission from releasing the statements to Fleisher. They first obtained a temporary restraining order and then filed for a permanent injunction. ¶5 The trial court held oral arguments on the motion and conducted an in camera review of the financial statements. Dragonslayer and MT&M argued that the financial reports were not public records because they contained private, confidential information regarding the card rooms' business operations, and did not contain any information regarding governmental functions. Dragonslayer and MT&M also asserted that their financial statements contained financial information related to maintaining their gambling license with the Commission and that the statements were therefore exempt under RCW 42.56.270(10) (formerly RCW 42.17.310(1)(tt)). ¶6 The Commission asserted that the financial statements were public records because they related to a governmental function and that the financial statements were not exempt because they were not a part of the card rooms' licensing process. The Commission asserted that the PDA's definition of "public records" must be broadly construed, and that the financial statements were public records because state law required Dragonslayer and MT&M to prepare the financial statements. ¶7 The trial court agreed with the Commission and did not issue an injunction. The court found that the financial statements were public records because they related to the Commission's regulatory functions, which is a public, governmental agency. It found that the statements did not contain financial information related to Dragonslayer and MT&M's gambling license and were therefore not exempt. The court considered the parties' oral argument, pleadings, and affidavits in reaching its decision; it did not hear any testimony and did not conduct an evidentiary hearing. Dragonslayer and MT&M now appeal. ANALYSIS I. STANDARD OF REVIEW AND BURDEN OF PROOF UNDER THE PDA The examination of any specific public record may be enjoined if, upon motion and affidavit by an agency or its representative or a person who is named in the record or to whom the record specifically pertains, the superior court for the county in which the movant resides or in which the record is maintained, finds that such examination would clearly not be in the public interest and would substantially and irreparably damage any person, or would substantially and irreparably damage vital governmental functions. An agency has the option of notifying persons named in the record or to whom a record specifically pertains, that release of a record has been requested. However, this option does not exist where the agency is required by law to provide such notice. (Emphasis added.) ¶9 Here, the trial court placed the burden of proof on Dragonslayer and MT&M to establish that an injunction was necessary to prevent disclosure. Under RCW 42.56.540, this was proper as long as the financial statements were in fact public records. Once the threshold inquiry of whether a document is a "public record" is met, then the burden to prove that an exemption applies is properly placed on the party seeking to prevent disclosure. RCW 42.56.540. II. THE POLICY OF THE PDA AND DEFINITION OF "PUBLIC RECORDS" ¶11 The Recreational Gaming Association filed an amicus curiae brief in response to Dragonslayer and MT&M's appeal to this court and asserted that audited financial statements do not meet the PDA's threshold inquiry because they are not public records. The Commission responded that Dragonslayer and MT&M's audited financial statements are public records because they contain information that the Commission reviews, uses, and retains for its enforcement purposes and because they contain information that the Commission uses to educate the public about its operations. Also, the Commission urged us to dismiss the Gaming Association's argument because Dragonslayer and MT&M do not raise this issue and it was raised only by amicus. The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies that serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may maintain control over the instruments that they have created. This chapter shall be liberally construed and its exemptions narrowly construed to promote this public policy. RCW 42.56.030; PAWS, 125 Wn.2d at 251. Our Supreme Court has emphasized the PDA's importance: Achieving an informed citizenry is a goal sometimes counterpoised against other important societal aims. Indeed, as the act recognizes, society's interest in an open government can conflict with its interest in protecting personal privacy rights and with the public need for preserving the confidentiality of criminal investigatory matters, among other concerns. Though tensions among these competing interests are characteristic of a democratic society, their resolution lies in providing a workable formula which encompasses, balances and appropriately protects all interests, while placing emphasis on responsible disclosure. It is this task of accommodating opposing concerns, with disclosure as the primary objective, that the state freedom of information act seeks to accomplish. Spokane Police Guild, 112 Wn.2d at 33-34 (emphasis added). [1] any writing [2] containing information related to the conduct of government or the performance of any governmental or proprietary function [3] prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics. Oliver, 94 Wn.2d at 565; RCW 42.17.020(41). All three elements of this three-prong test must be satisfied for a record to be a public record. See Oliver, 94 Wn.2d at 565. ¶18 In Concerned Ratepayers Ass'n v. Public Utility District No. 1 of Clark County, 138 Wn.2d 950, 983 P.2d 635 (1999), the Washington Supreme Court allowed public disclosure of a document describing a turbine generator's technical specifications. The document was referenced in a project concerning construction of a power generating facility. Concerned citizens filed a public disclosure request for the document because they wanted to review the document to determine whether the facility would be capable of generating amounts of power that would require a public vote. Concerned Ratepayer, 138 Wn.2d at 953. The court held that the document was used by the public utility district and allowed disclosure because a nexus existed between the information and the public agency's decision making process. It stated, "the information relates not only to the conduct or performance of the agency or its proprietary function, but is also a relevant factor in the agency's action." Concerned Ratepayer, 138 Wn.2d at 960-61. It explained: [M]ere reference to a document that has no relevance to an agency's conduct or performance may not constitute "use," but information that is reviewed, evaluated, or referred to and has an impact on an agency's decision-making process would be within the parameters of the [PDA]. Concerned Taxpayer, 138 Wn.2d at 961. ¶19 The legislative intent of the PDA is to require public access to information concerning the government's conduct. The trial court here made almost no factual findings as to how the financial statements were related to the government's conduct or the Commission's decision-making process. The court found from Mr. Day's statement that "the requested records relate to the regulatory functions of the Gambling Commission." CP at 125. However, Mr. Day's statement is conclusory and gives no detail on how the financial statements aid in "monitoring compliance with state gambling laws and regulations." CP at 83. The financial statements, like the document in Concerned Ratepayer, were prepared by a private, nonpublic agency and contain information regarding a private, nonpublic entity. Additional factual findings as to how the Commission uses these statements are necessary to determine whether they are related to a public function. These findings should be based on specific determinations of the Commission's use, rather than general assertions that the financial statements are used. We remand for further evidence and a determination by the trial court of whether the financial statements meet the test's second prong and are related to the government's conduct. 1. EXEMPTION FOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION UNDER RCW 42.56.270(10) The following financial, commercial, and proprietary information is exempt from disclosure under this chapter: . . . . . . . Financial information, including but not limited to account numbers and values, and other identification numbers supplied by or on behalf of a person, firm, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or other entity related to an application for a horse racing license submitted pursuant to RCW 67.16.260(1)(b), liquor license, gambling license, or lottery retail license. RCW 42.56.270(10)(a). ¶21 Dragonslayer and MT&M assert that the financial statements are exempt because they relate to their application for a gambling license under RCW 42.56.270(10). They argue that, even though the financial documents are not actually required to be filed with the licensing application under WAC 230-04-022, ¶22 The Commission disagrees. It asserts that it monitors, regulates, and licenses the gaming industry in Washington and that the financial statements relate to the Commission's first function, monitoring and regulating, and that they do not relate to the licensing function. The Commission asserts that the licensing requirements do not include audited financial statements in the list of required documents. It admits that a gambling license can be revoked for failing to submit an audited financial statement but that submission of an audited financial statement is not part of the application process. 2. TRADE SECRETS ¶24 Dragonslayer and MT&M also assert that the financial statements are "trade secrets" exempt from disclosure under former RCW 42.17.260(1) (2006). It argues that the financial statements are a "key" to the business model for two of the most successful gambling businesses in Washington because every possible expense is outlined in the document. Amicus agrees that there are "trade secrets" contained in the financial statements and that the statements should be reviewed and the "trade secrets" redacted. The Commission urges this court to reject Dragonslayer and MT&M's "trade secret" argument because it is being raised for the first time on appeal. III. RECENT AMENDMENTS TO RCW 42.56.270 ¶26 On May 14, 2007, Washington's governor signed House Bill 1449 into law. The bill amended former RCW 42.56.270 (2006). The amended portion states, "Independent auditors' reports and financial statements of house-banked social card game licensees required by the gambling commission pursuant to rules adopted under chapter 9.46 RCW" are exempt from disclosure. RCW 42.56.270(10)(b) (2007). There is no provision within the newly passed amended and reenacted statute to apply it retroactively. ¶29 However, the presumption that a statute applies prospectively is reversed to favor retroactive application if the amendment is remedial and concerns procedure or forms of remedies. Marine Power & Equip. Co. v. Wash. State Human Rights Comm'n Hearing Tribunal, 39 Wn. App. 609, 616-17, 694 P.2d 697 (1985). A statute is remedial when it relates to practice, procedure, or remedies and does not affect a substantive or vested right. Miebach v. Colasurdo, 102 Wn.2d 170, 181, 685 P.2d 1074 (1984). A vested right entitled to protection under the due process clause " 'must be something more than a mere expectation based upon an anticipated continuance of the existing law; it must have become a title, legal or equitable, to the present or future enjoyment of property, a demand, or a legal exemption from a demand by another.' " Caritas Servs. v. Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 123 Wn.2d 391, 414, 869 P.2d 28 (1994) (emphasis omitted) (quoting In re Marriage of MacDonald, 104 Wn.2d 745, 750, 709 P.2d 1196 (1985). ¶30 By removing the term remedial from the House Bill, the legislature expressed its intent that the amendment is not remedial. Additionally, the statute is not remedial because it would affect Edward Fleisher's vested right in the financial statements that he was entitled to under the PDA. Fleisher filed his public records request before the amendment. If the financial statements are public records and not part of the licensing application or trade secrets, Fleisher had a right to the documents. Because the amendment is not remedial, it is not applied retroactively. The amended RCW 42.56.270 does not apply to the case at hand. ¶31 In conclusion, we reverse the trial court's decision and remand for further proceedings on whether the financial statements are public records and, if so, whether they are exempt as part of a licensing application or as trade secrets. ¶32 Reversed and remanded. VAN DEREN, A.C.J., and CASEY, J. PRO TEM., concur.