SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESHB 1344

                    As of February 11, 1998

Title:  An act relating to minutes of meetings held by county legislative authorities.

Brief Description:  Requiring county legislative authorities to include a summary of public testimony in the written minutes.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Government Administration (originally sponsored by Representatives Mielke, Doumit, Pennington, Alexander, Boldt, Hatfield, Bush and Smith).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/20/98.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

Background:  The minutes of all regular and special meetings, except for executive sessions, of all public boards, commissions, agencies, or authorities must be promptly recorded, and such records must be open to public inspection.  All of the proceedings of a county board of commissioners must be recorded by the clerk of the county board of commissioners, and all of the books, accounts, vouchers, and papers dealing with the business or property of a county are kept by the clerk of the county board of commissioners and open to public inspection. 

Summary of Bill:  Voice recordings or written minutes must be kept for every public meeting of a county legislative authority and shall include any public testimony taken.  This does not apply to executive sessions.  Copies of voice recordings and written minutes must be made available to the public at a reasonable fee. 

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested February 23, 1997.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.