SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2584

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Title: An act relating to public disclosure of information submitted to the liquor and cannabis board regarding marijuana product traceability and operations.

Brief Description: Concerning public disclosure of information submitted to the liquor and cannabis board regarding marijuana product traceability and operations.

Sponsors: House Committee on Commerce & Gaming (originally sponsored by Representatives Vick, Van De Wege, Blake, Harris and Tarleton).

Background: The Public Records Act (PRA) requires state and local agencies to make their written records available to the public for inspection and copying upon request, unless the information fits into one of the various specific exemptions. The stated policy of the PRA favors disclosure and requires narrow application of the listed exemptions.

The Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) collects a variety of business records relating to marijuana businesses that produce, process, transport, or sell marijuana.

Many of these businesses have raised safety concerns regarding public access, under the Public Records Act (PRA), to these sensitive records.

Summary of Bill: Specified categories of information obtained by the LCB in regulating marijuana commerce are exempted from disclosure under the PRA. The information subject to the exemption includes information pertaining to financial institutions, retirement accounts, building security plans, marijuana transportation, vehicle and driver identification data, and account numbers or unique access identifiers issued to private entities for traceability system access.