SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5621

                            AS OF FEBRUARY 14, 1991

Brief Description:  Protecting the names of persons signing initiative, referendum, and recall petitions.

SPONSORS:Senators Matson and Madsen; by request of Secretary of State.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Staff:  Martin Lovinger (786‑7443)

Hearing Dates:February 19, 1991

BACKGROUND:

The Public Disclosure Act requires that state and local government agencies make records available for public inspection and copying, unless a record is within a category exempt from disclosure.  There is no provision that exempts from disclosure the names and addresses of those who sign initiative, referendum, and recall petitions.

SUMMARY:

Initiative and referendum petitions filed under Article II, Section 1 of the State Constitution and RCW 29.79.120 are not available for inspection or copying except by order of the Thurston County Superior Court.  Recall petitions filed under Article I, Section 33 of the State Constitution and RCW 29.82.025 are not available for inspection or copying except by order of the superior court of the county in which the recall petition was filed.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested