Public Records Exemptions Accountability Committee (SSB 5435)

This bill is currently in the House Rules Committee. A striking amendment by the House State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee changed the oversight of the committee from the state Attorney General’s office to the House and Senate legislative committees. However, the sunset provision that AWC asked for was removed. In addition, the committee was reduced from 15 members (in the original bill) to seven, and no longer includes a local government representative.

Recodification of the Public Records Act (SHB 1445)

This bill makes some corrections to the Public Records Act. According to the state Attorney General’s representative on public records, the bill is technical in nature and is not intended to change public records policy. The bill is currently in Senate Rules.

Correcting the Statute of Limitations in the Public Records Act (HB 1446)

This proposal clarifies that the statute of limitations is one year for actions under the Public Records Act, including the failure to provide a response to a request for a public record, and for any other violation. The bill is currently in Senate Rules.

Mid-Term Increases in the Cost of Medical Benefits (SB 5525/SHB 1392)

Good News! SB 5592 passed the Legislature on April 4 and will now be transmitted to the Governor for signature. This proposal simply adds elected city officials as well as municipal court judges to the list of public officials for whom the costs of employment-related health insurance provided by a public entity are not deemed to be "additional compensation." AWC would like to thank Senators Oemig (D-Kirkland), Swecker (R-Rochester) and Regala (D-Tacoma) for their support of the bill. AWC would also like to recognize the efforts of Rep. Moeller (D-Vancouver) for sponsoring the House version of this bill, SHB 1392.

Filling a Vacancy in the Office of Mayor (HB 1391)

This proposal clarifies that incumbent council members in mayor-council cities or towns are eligible to be appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of mayor without first having to resign their council seat. In addition, the bill removes the restriction that second class cities must only choose a mayoral replacement from among the sitting council members. The bill is currently in Senate Rules. Please contact members of the Senate Rules Committee and ask them to advance HB 1391.

[ previous article ] [ return to top ] [ next article ]