(1) The Public Records Act provides that a number of document types are exempt from public inspection and copying. In addition, documents are exempt from disclosure if any "other statute" exempts or prohibits disclosure. Requestors should be aware of the following exemptions, outside the Public Records Act, that restrict the availability of some documents held by the office of the secretary of state for inspection and copying:
RCW
5.60.060(2) (attorney-client privilege, together with attorney work product privilege).
RCW
5.60.060(5) (communications to a public officer in official confidence).
RCW
5.60.070 (communications between a mediator and a party to mediation).
RCW
29A.32.100 (arguments and statements for voters pamphlet).
RCW
40.14.030 (exempt records accessioned into state archives).
RCW
40.24.070 (address confidentiality program).
RCW
43.07.100 (records of entities supplying information to the bureau of statistics).
5 U.S.C. § 552(a) (the federal Privacy Act).
The foregoing list is for informational purposes only and failure to list an exemption shall not affect the efficacy of any exemption. The secretary of state reserves the right to determine that a public record is exempt under the provisions of state law.
(2) The office of the secretary of state is prohibited by statute from disclosing lists of individuals for commercial purposes.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
29A.04.611. WSR 14-06-040, § 434-12A-110, filed 2/26/14, effective 3/29/14. Statutory Authority: RCW
42.56.040. WSR 09-04-026, § 434-12A-110, filed 1/28/09, effective 2/28/09; Order 74-2, § 434-12A-110, filed 2/19/74.]