FINAL BILL REPORT

ESSB 6517

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.

C 106 L 14

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Exempting agency employee driver's license numbers and identicard numbers from public inspection and copying.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Governmental Operations (originally sponsored by Senators Roach, Chase, Fraser and Rivers).

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

House Committee on Government Operations & Elections

Background: The Public Records Act (PRA), enacted in 1972 as part of Initiative 276, requires that all state and local government agencies make all public records available for public inspection and copying unless certain statutory exemptions apply. The provisions requiring public records disclosure must be interpreted liberally while the exemptions are interpreted narrowly to effectuate the general policy favoring disclosure.

Certain employment and licensing information contained in the files of a public agency is exempt from public inspection and copying under the PRA, including the following:

examination data used to administer a license, employment, or academic examination;
applications for public employment including names of applicants, resumes, and other related materials submitted with respect to the applicant; and

the residential addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, social security numbers, and emergency contact information of employees or volunteers of a public agency.

Summary: The driver's license or identicard numbers of the employees or volunteers of a public agency are exempt from public inspection and copying.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate	48	0
House	91	6	(House amended)
Senate	49	0	(Senate concurred)

Effective:

June 12, 2014