The office's public records shall be in charge of the public records officer designated by the office. The public records officer shall be responsible for the following: The implementation of the office's rules and regulations regarding release of public records, coordinating the staff of the office in this regard, and generally insuring compliance by the staff with the public records disclosure requirements of chapter 1, Laws of 1973. In the absence of the public records officer, the responsibilities of such officer may be delegated to or assumed by another member of the staff and such responsibilities shall be deemed to be properly exercised by such officer.