HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

Bill Analysis      Bill No.  HB 1158

Collecting information from truck, tractor,

or trailer intelligent information systems.

Brief Title                              Hearing Date: 1/27/99

Reps. Ogden and DeBolt                    Staff:  Steve Lundin

Sponsor(s)                          State Government Committee

                                              Phone:  786-7127

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 provided with more extensive protection from public disclosure by being declared to be confidential or are prohibited from being disclosed.  For example, drafts of legislation prepared by the Code Revisor=s office are expressly declared to be confidential.

SUMMARY:

Information obtained by government agencies collected by the use of an 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.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.