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vs., as individuals, have a reasonable
1. Warrant confidential treatment notwithstanding the constitutional presumption of public access to agency records;
The Board further finds that High Country Livestock, Inc.'s financial situation meets the definition of a trade secret set forth in Mont. Code Ann. § 30-14-402(4) as to any person or entity outside of the Department, which regulates livestock markets pursuant to Mont. Code Ann. § 81-8-212. The Board finds that financial documents pertaining to High County Livestock, Inc:
The Board finds that Nuffer and the McCoys, as individuals, have a reasonable expectation of privacy in documents containing information as to their personal finances and that Admin. R. Mont. 32.15.105(1)(a)'s submission requirement does not diminish this expectation as to dissemination outside of the Department. The Board also finds that the public's right to know does not outweigh these individual privacy rights.
Admin. R. Mont. 32.15.105(1)(a) requires that a request for approval of change of ownership in a livestock market be accompanied by “[c]urrent financial statements of the market and of those persons acquiring ownership or control” and “[e]xecuted copies of any contracts bearing on the change of ownership or control.” Nuffer, the McCoys, and High Country Livestock, Inc. submitted these required documents, which is the subject of the Motion.