AN ACT Relating to creating a data storage system for holding and making public records available to the public; and adding a new section to chapter 43.105 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 43.105 RCW to read as follows:

(1) By December 31, 2018, the director must establish an internet-based data storage system with the ability to collect and store the electronic records of all local public agencies and provide such records for inspection and copying, in compliance with chapter 42.56 RCW, through a searchable central portal on a state web site.

(2) By December 31, 2017, the director must enter into a contract with a private cloud service provider to develop and manage the data storage system described in subsection (1) of this section. The director must establish a competitive bidding process for the procurement of the contract. The contract must be approved by the board.

(3) The state web site providing access to the central portal of the data storage system must include a mechanism to allow users to search the data storage system without requiring specialized assistance or training, to locate agency records by document type, subject, date, location, and other relevant categories.

(4) By December 31, 2018, each local public agency of the state must transmit all of its public records that are in a digital format to the data storage system established in this section. Any digital record that is not in a format compatible with the data storage system must be transferred to a compatible format. Any public record, or information within such record, that is exempt from public disclosure under chapter 42.56 RCW or other law, may be excluded or redacted to the extent permitted under such law. The director may provide assistance to any local public agency with technological support in transferring records files to a compatible digital format.

(5) Any public records transmitted to the data storage system, whether or not managed by a contractor or third-party service provider, remain public records for purposes of chapter 42.56 RCW.

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