Rittiman

I. BACKGROUND

In mid-November 2020, petitioner made four PRA requests seeking “all communications between” CPUC President Marybel Batjer and/or her “principal executive staff,” and members of the Governor’s staff, since the date of Batjer’s appointment in mid-August 2019. The requested records included “all documents, emails, or texts whether made on state-issued or personal devices.” Consistent with Government Code section 6253, subdivision (c),2 the CPUC, on November 30, notified petitioner of its “determination” that the requested records were statutorily exempt from disclosure under Government Code section 6254, subdivision (l)—the Governor’s correspondence exemption3—and would not be made available. On December 4, in accordance with CPUC General Order 66-D, enacted pursuant to Government Code section 6253.4, subdivisions (a) and (b)(28),

2 Government Code section 6253, subdivision (c), provides in pertinent part: “Each agency, upon a request for a copy of records, shall, within 10 days from the receipt of the request, determine whether the request, in whole or in part, seeks copies of disclosable public records in the possession of the agency and shall promptly notify the…