HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

Bill Analysis      Bill No.  HB 1245

Exempting certain financial and proprietary

information from public disclosure.

Brief Title                              Hearing Date: 1/27/99

Reps. Morris and Dunn                     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, financial or proprietary information supplied by entrepreneurs to the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development may not be made available to the public.

SUMMARY:

The existing requirement that financial or other proprietary information that is supplied to the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development shall not be made available to the public is expanded.  The name of a business and the potential location for it to site, relocate, or expand its business, that are supplied to the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development, may not be made available to the public until a decision has been made to acquire or not acquire the site.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

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