SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1561

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.

As of March 11, 2015

Title: An act relating to consideration of information technology security matters.

Brief Description: Concerning the consideration of information technology security matters.

Sponsors: Representatives Hudgins, Scott, Stanford, Magendanz, Ormsby, Smith, S. Hunt and Wylie.

Brief History: Passed House: 3/09/15, 98-0.

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Security: 3/16/15.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & SECURITY

Staff: Samuel Brown (786-7470)

Background: The Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) requires that all meetings of the governing body of a public agency be open to the public and all persons must be allowed to attend. For the purposes of OPMA, a public agency includes, but is not limited to, any state board, commission, department, education institution, agency, local government, and special purposes district. A governing body is defined as the multimember board, commission, committee, council, or other policy or rulemaking body of a public agency or any committee acting on behalf of the public agency.

OPMA permits a governing body to discuss certain matters in private in executive session. Matters which may be discussed in executive session include matters affecting national security and discussions with legal counsel regarding litigation or potential litigation to which the body is likely to become a party, when knowledge of the discussion is likely to result in adverse legal or financial consequences.

Summary of Bill: A governing body may consider the following information in executive session:

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: During a meeting of the Technology Services Board, it came to light that materials exempt from disclosure under the Public Records Act can be discussed in open public meetings. This bill tries to align what governing bodies talk about in public with public disclosure laws to keep our information networks secure.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Hudgins, prime sponsor.