BILL REQ. #: H-2674.2
State of Washington | 63rd Legislature | 2014 Regular Session |
Prefiled 12/03/13. Read first time 01/13/14. Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.
AN ACT Relating to promoting transparency in government by requiring public agencies with governing bodies to post agendas online in advance of meetings; adding a new section to chapter 42.30 RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 The legislature intends to promote
transparency in government and strengthen the Washington's open public
meetings act. The legislature finds that it is in the best interest of
citizens for public agencies with governing bodies to post meeting
agendas on web sites before meetings. Full public review and
inspection of meeting agendas will promote a greater exchange of
information so the public can provide meaningful input related to
government decisions.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2 A new section is added to chapter 42.30 RCW
to read as follows:
Public agencies with governing bodies must make the agenda of each
regular meeting of the governing body available online no later than
twenty-four hours in advance of the published start time of the
meeting. An agency subject to provisions of this section is not
required to post an agenda if it does not have a web site or if it
employs fewer than five full-time equivalent employees. Nothing in
this section prohibits subsequent modifications to agendas nor
invalidates any otherwise legal action taken at a meeting where the
agenda was not posted in accordance with this section. Nothing in this
section modifies notice requirements.