FINAL BILL REPORT

2SSB 5355

C 188 L 12

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Regarding notice requirements for special meetings of public agencies.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Morton, Swecker and Honeyford).

Senate Committee on Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections

House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs

Background: The Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) governs the meeting process followed by public agencies. A special meeting may be called by the presiding officer of the governing body of a public agency or by a majority of the members of the governing body by delivering written notice personally, by mail, fax, or electronic mail, to each local newspaper of general circulation, and to each local radio or television which has requested to be notified of special meetings.

Notice must occur at least 24 hours before the meeting. The notice must indicate the meeting's time and place, and specify the business to be transacted.

Summary: Notices of special meetings under the OPMA are modified.  Meeting notices must be prominently displayed at the main entrance of the agency's principal location, as well as at the meeting site, if different.  The notices must be posted on an agency's website except under the following conditions:  the agency does not have a website; the agency employs fewer than ten full-time equivalent employees; or the agency does not employ personnel whose duty, as defined by a job description or existing contract, is to maintain or update the website.

Votes on Final Passage: