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

HB 1445

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Making adjustments to the recodification of the public records act.

Sponsors: Representatives Kessler, Rodne, Chandler, Hunt, Upthegrove and Miloscia; by request of Attorney General.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Adds definitions to the Public Records statute.
  • Adds a statement of statutory intent.
  • Moves an exemption to a different category of exemptions.

Hearing Date: 2/2/07

Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).

Background:

In 1972, voters approved Initiative 276. The initiative called for disclosure of campaign finances, lobbyist activities, financial affairs of elective officers and candidates, and access to public records.

The public records disclosure statutes were codified between the statutes on campaign finance reporting and campaign contribution limits, making responsibility for enforcement of the public records disclosure status unclear.

In 2005, the Legislature enacted HB 1133 to move the public records portions of the Public Disclosure Act into a new chapter, RCW 42.56, the Public Records Act (PRA). Definitions included in the PRA were incorporated by reference from the statutes related to campaign finance reporting located in RCW 42.17.

Summary of Bill:

Agency, person, public record, state office, and writing are defined.

The statement of statutory intent is amended to state that in the event of a conflict between the provisions of the Public Records Act (PRA) and any other act, the provisions of the PRA must govern.

The Small Business Economic Impact Statements exemption is removed from the category of exemptions for insurance or financial institutions, and placed in the category of exemptions relating to financial, commercial, and proprietary information.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.