All records, reports, and information obtained by the commission from or on behalf of a manufacturer or manufacturer's representative under this chapter are confidential and exempt from public inspection and copying under chapter 42.56 RCW. This section does not apply to public disclosure of the identity of persons found by the commission to have violated state or federal law, rules, or regulations. This section is not intended to restrict the investigations and proceedings of the commission so long as the commission maintains the confidentiality required by this section.