FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1158

                         C 146 L 99

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Collecting information from truck, tractor, or trailer intelligent information systems.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on State Government (Originally sponsored by Representatives Ogden, DeBolt, Cooper, Ericksen and Mielke).

House Committee on State Government

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:

The open public records law was approved by state voters in 1972 as part of Initiative Measure No. 276.  All public records of state agencies and local governments are open to public inspection and copying, unless a law expressly excludes the public records from public inspection and copying.  This disclosure requirement is liberally construed, and any exception is narrowly constructed.

Among other express exclusions, the following public records are not available for inspection and copying by the public: (1) personal information in files, the disclosure of which would violate the right to privacy; (2) certain taxpayer information; (3) certain financial and commercial information supplied by individuals applying for various programs; and (4) residential addresses and residential telephone numbers of public utility customers.

In a few instances information in public records is given more extensive protection from public disclosure by declaring the information confidential or by prohibiting disclosure of the information.  For example, drafts of legislation prepared by the Code Revisor's office are expressly declared confidential.

Summary:

Information obtained by government agencies collected by the use of a motor carrier  intelligent transportation system or comparable information equipment is confidential and not subject to public disclosure.  However, the information may be given to other governmental agencies or the owners of the truck, tractor, or trailer from which it was obtained.

Votes on Final Passage:

House960

Senate450

Effective:July 25, 1999