BILL REQ. #:  H-1201.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/01/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to allowing special meetings to be called through electronic mail notice; and amending RCW 42.30.080.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 42.30.080 and 1971 ex.s. c 250 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:
     A special meeting may be called at any time by the presiding officer of the governing body of a public agency or by a majority of the members of the governing body by delivering written notice personally ((or)), by mail ((written notice)), by fax, or by electronic mail to each member of the governing body; and to each local newspaper of general circulation and to each local radio or television station which has on file with the governing body a written request to be notified of such special meeting or of all special meetings. Such notice must be delivered personally ((or)), by mail, by fax, or by electronic mail at least twenty-four hours before the time of such meeting as specified in the notice. The call and notice shall specify the time and place of the special meeting and the business to be transacted. Final disposition shall not be taken on any other matter at such meetings by the governing body. A subscriber to such notifications must be allowed by the sender to specify which approved method or methods of communication he or she prefers for the receipt of notices of a special meeting. The sender is required to use the subscriber's preferred method of communication. If electronic mail is used, a return receipt must be requested. If a fax is used, a reply fax must be requested. If the electronic mail return receipt or reply fax is not received in a timely manner, the sender shall verify receipt by telephone. Such written notice may be dispensed with as to any member who at or prior to the time the meeting convenes files with the clerk or secretary of the governing body a written waiver of notice. Such waiver may be given by telegram, by fax, or electronic mail. Such written notice may also be dispensed with as to any member who is actually present at the meeting at the time it convenes. The notices provided in this section may be dispensed with in the event a special meeting is called to deal with an emergency involving injury or damage to persons or property or the likelihood of such injury or damage, when time requirements of such notice would make notice impractical and increase the likelihood of such injury or damage.