HB 2515 - DIGEST

Declares that the following are exempt from public inspection and copying: (1) Records reflecting communications relevant to a controversy transmitted in confidence between a public official or employee of a public agency acting in the performance of his or her duties and an attorney serving in the capacity of legal advisor for the purpose of rendering or obtaining legal advice relevant to a controversy, and records prepared by the attorney in furtherance of the rendition of legal advice relevant to a controversy. Records relevant to a controversy shall be as narrowly construed as those relating to completed, existing, or reasonably anticipated litigation.

(2) Records are not exempt from disclosure under this provision merely because they reflect communications in meetings where legal counsel was present or because a record or copy of a record was provided to legal counsel.

(3) This provision governs exemption of records from the provisions of this act based on the attorney-client privilege as applied to public agencies and public officials in their official capacities, and no broader exemption may be invoked under RCW 5.60.060(2).