SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SHB 2192

                    AS OF FEBRUARY 18, 1994

Brief Description:  Exempting materials submitted for certification under chapter 39.19 RCW from public records disclosure requirements.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Trade, Economic Development & Housing (originally sponsored by Representatives G. Cole, Forner, Veloria, Ogden and Wineberry; by request of Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & HOUSING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Staff:  Dick Armstrong (786‑7460)

Hearing Dates: February 23, 1994

BACKGROUND:

The Legislature created the Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises in 1983 in order to increase the level of participation by minority and women-owned businesses in state contracts with the private sector.  The office is required to establish annual overall goals for participation by qualified minority and women-owned businesses for each state agency and institution of higher education.  The goals are established for public works as well as the procurement of goods and services and may be administered on a contract-by-contract basis or a class-of-contracts basis.

The Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises is responsible for maintaining a central list of minority and women's business enterprises that have been certified by the office for use by state agencies and educational institutions.  The information submitted by businesses for certification purposes is not exempt from public disclosure.  Business-related financial information that is required for participation in a number of other state programs is exempt from public disclosure. 

SUMMARY:

Financial statements, loan documents, tax records and business plans that are submitted to the Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises by a person, firm or corporation in order to be certified as a minority or women-owned business are exempt from public inspection and copying under the Public Disclosure Act to the extent that they do not establish ownership or control of the business.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

Effective Date:  July 1, 1994