SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5680

BYSenators McCaslin, DeJarnatt and Thorsness; by request of State Auditor

Deleting obsolete language from the Revised Code of Washington.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 16, 1989; February 21, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Desley Brooks (786-7443)

                  March 6, 1989

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 6, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1871 the territorial legislature codified a common law rule requiring public disclosure of records kept by a public auditor.  That rule provides that "all books, papers, letters, and transactions pertaining to the office of state auditor shall be open to the public."  It has been suggested that this provision be deleted because the broad scope of the open public records provisions adopted in 1972 grant greater public access rights to State Auditor records than the older provision.

SUMMARY:

An obsolete section of the RCW is deleted.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Linda Sheeler, State Auditor's Office (pro)