Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
State Government & Tribal Relations Committee
SSB 5049
Brief Description: Concerning the public records exemptions accountability committee.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Wilson, J., McCune and Fortunato).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Modifies the quarterly meeting requirement of the Public Records Exemptions Accountability Committee to require four meetings annually.
Hearing Date: 3/18/25
Staff: Connor Schiff (786-7093).
Background:

The Public Records Act (PRA) requires state and local governmental agencies to make all written records available for public inspection and copying upon request unless a record falls within an exemption under the PRA or another statute that exempts or prohibits disclosure of specific information or records.  Over 500 specific references in the PRA or other statutes provide exemptions from public disclosure.

 
The Public Records Exemption Accountability Committee (Committee), known as the Sunshine Committee, periodically reviews these exemptions and provides recommendations as to whether specific exemptions should be continued, modified, scheduled for sunset review, or terminated.  By November 15 of each year, the Committee provides a report to the Governor, the Attorney General, and the Legislature with its annual recommendations.  The Committee meets in public and considers input from interested parties.  The Committee must meet at least once a quarter and may hold additional meetings at the call of the chair or by a majority vote of the members of the Committee.
Summary of Bill:

The requirement that the Public Records Exemptions Accountability Committee meet at least one a quarter is modified to require at least four meetings annually.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.