FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 5095

                          C 246 L 99

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Clarifying that public corporations, commissions, and authorities are public agencies for purposes of the open public meetings act.

Sponsors:  Senators Thibaudeau, Horn, Kohl‑Welles, Patterson, Haugen, Prentice and Costa.

Senate Committee on State & Local Government

House Committee on State Government

Background:  Any city, town, or county may create a public corporation, commission or authority to: administer and execute federal grants or programs; receive and administer private funds, goods, or services for any lawful purpose; and perform any lawful public purpose or public function.  The ordinance or resolution creating the public entity must limit the liability of these authorities to the assets and properties of the authorities in order to prevent recourse to the cities, towns, or counties or their assets or credit.  The Pike Place Market in Seattle is an example of such a public authority.  Questions have arisen as to whether these public authorities are governed by both the state=s Open Public Meetings Act and public records statutes.

Summary:  Public corporations, commissions, and authorities created by cities, towns, and counties must comply with the general laws regulating local governments, multi-member governing bodies, and local governmental officials (e.g., open public meetings, open public records, ethics for municipal officers, local government whistleblower law and the like).

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 46 0

House     92 0 (House amended)

Senate    45 0 (Senate concurred)

Effective:  July 25, 1999