Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
State Government Committee

HB 1542

Brief Description:  Exempting certain financial or proprietary information provided to the department of community, trade, and economic development from public disclosure.

Sponsors:  Representatives Van Luven, Gombosky, Fromhold and Dunn; by request of Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Exempts information collected by the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development from public disclosure.

Hearing Date:  2/23/01

Staff:  Jim Morishima (786‑7191).

Background: 

I.  Public Records Disclosure

Initiative 276, approved by the voters in 1972, requires that all state agencies make all public records available for public inspection and copying unless they fall within certain statutory exceptions.  The provisions requiring public records disclosure must be interpreted liberally and the exceptions narrowly in order to effectuate a general policy favoring disclosure. 

Examples of statutory exceptions to the public records disclosure law include:  a) personal information in agency files, the disclosure of which would violate an individual's right to privacy; b) financial and commercial information supplied by individuals applying for various programs; and c) residential addresses and telephone numbers of state agency employees.

II.  The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (DCTED)

One of the duties of the DCTED is to conduct research and analysis on market, demographic, and economic trends.  The DCTED also is required to contract for surveys of business and employment sectors.  Some of the data the department receives when fulfilling these duties are sensitive or proprietary in nature.

Summary of Bill: 

Information collected by the DCTED to conduct research and analysis on market demographic, and economic trends, or in connection with surveys of business and employment sectors is exempt from disclosure to the public.  The work product based on this information, however, remains available for public inspection and copying.

Rulemaking Authority:  No express authority.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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