SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 6686

              As Passed Senate, February 14, 2000

Title:  An act relating to confidentiality of personal financial information.

Brief Description:  Protecting personal financial information.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Commerce, Trade, Housing & Financial Institutions (originally sponsored by Senators Patterson, Horn, Oke, Roach and Kline; by request of Governor Locke).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Commerce, Trade, Housing & Financial Institutions:  2/3/2000 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 2/14/2000, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, TRADE, HOUSING & FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6686 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Benton, Gardner, Hale, Rasmussen, T. Sheldon and Winsley.

Staff:  Susan Jones (786-7784)

Background:  State and local agencies are generally required to allow public inspection and copying of public records.  There are many exemptions to these requirements.  Certain financial information may be provided to state and local agencies for the purposes of electronic transfer of funds.

Summary of Bill:  Credit and debit card numbers, electronic check numbers, card expiration date, or bank or other financial account numbers supplied to an agency for the purposes of electronic transfer of funds, except when expressly provided by law, are exempt from public disclosure and copying.  Financial information and other identification numbers supplied for an application for a liquor, gambling, or lottery retailer license are also exempt.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill allows electronic commerce to continue.  The amendment extends the exemption to sensitive information provided when a liquor, gambling, or lottery retailer license is requested.  This is an agreed upon bill.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Everett Billingslea, Governor's Office; Jan Gee (w/amendments), WA Food Industry.