SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2337

BYHouse Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Cole, Walker, Vekich, Prentice, Ferguson, P. King, Rector and Winsley)

Permitting private collective bargaining sessions by public bodies.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 19, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; DeJarnatt, Patrick, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Rod McAulay (786-7754)

                  February 19, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, FEBRUARY 19, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The state Open Public Meetings Act requires most meetings of state and local governments to be open to the public.  The act does not apply to meetings in which the governing body is planning its position or reviewing proposals with respect to collective bargaining, grievance, or mediation proceedings.

In 1989, the Washington State Court of Appeals decided Mason County v. Public Employment Relations Commission, 54 Wn. App. 36 (1989).  In Mason County, two of the three county commissioners participated in collective bargaining negotiating sessions.  The court held that the exemption under the Open Public Meetings Act for collective bargaining sessions was limited and that the act required the collective bargaining sessions to be conducted in open public meetings.

SUMMARY:

The Open Public Meetings Act does not apply to collective bargaining sessions with employee organizations, including contract negotiations, grievance meetings, and discussions relating to the interpretation or application of a labor agreement.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Rep. Grace Cole