House Bill Analysis

HB 2792

Title: AN ACT Relating to confidentiality of personal financial information.

Brief Description: Protecting personal financial information.

Sponsor: Haigh, Schmidt, D.

Brief Summary

CExempts information supplied to an agency for the electronic transfer of funds from public inspection and copying.

House State Government Committee

Staff: Jim Morishima  (786-7191)

Background:

Initiative 276, approved by the voters in 1972, requires that all state agencies make all public records available for public inspection and copying unless they fall within certain statutory exceptions.  The provisions requiring public records disclosure must be interpreted liberally and the exceptions narrowly in order to effectuate a general policy favoring disclosure. 

Examples of statutory exceptions to the public records disclosure law include i) personal information in agency files, the disclosure of which would violate an individual's right to privacy, ii) financial and commercial information supplied by individuals applying for various programs, and iii) residential addresses and telephone numbers of state agency employees.

Summary:

Credit card numbers, debit card numbers, electronic check numbers, card expiration dates, or bank or other financial account numbers supplied to an agency for the purpose of electronic transfer of funds are exempt from public inspection and copying, except when the disclosure is required by law.

Rule Making Authority: No express authority.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.