HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1669

BYRepresentatives Anderson, R. Fisher, Winsley, Jacobsen, Haugen, Schoon, Bristow, Wineberry, Beck, Horn and D. Sommers; by request of  Secretary of State

Protecting the confidentiality of initiative, referendum, or recall petitioners.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (8)

      Signed by Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; Anderson, Vice Chair; McLean, Ranking Republican Member; Hankins, R. King, Morris, O'Brien and Silver.

House Staff:Barbara McLain (786-7135)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT FEBRUARY 22, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The Public Disclosure Law requires that all state and local agencies make public records available for inspection and copying, unless the record is specifically exempt from disclosure.  The names and addresses on state and local initiative, referendum, and recall petitions are not exempt.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  The names and addresses on state and local initiative, referendum, and recall petitions are not available for public inspection and copying.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The original bill exempts only state initiative, referendum and recall petitions from public disclosure.  The substitute includes state and local initiative, referendum, and recall petitions from this exemption.

Fiscal Note:      No Impact.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    John Pearson, Office of the Secretary of State.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Historically, access has not been allowed to initiative, referendum and recall petitions, as such access could potentially dissuade the public from signing these petitions.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.