Open government task force

The state Attorney General and Auditor have convened a task force on open government issues. State agencies, cities, counties, libraries, and many other stakeholders were invited to participate. At the second meeting this week, the task force voted unanimously to support the creation of a new office of open records, to be modeled in part after Pennsylvania’s Office of Open Records. The idea is the office will sort out disputes over records, much like the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) oversees campaign disputes and campaign financing matters. What was not unanimous was how the office should be structured: like the commission style of the PDC, or an independent agency with a single director who hires administrative hearings officers to scrutinize disputes, like the Pennsylvania model.

Other discussions included how to finance the new office, whether use of the agency was mandatory or optional prior to filing a legal challenge, and whether there would be incentives built in to encourage the use the office. Regardless of the details, a bill is expected to be introduced in 2010 legislative session that would create this new office.

Both task force meetings were videotaped and are archived at www.TVW.org.

Gender equity in community athletics programs (ESSB 5967)

Passed last session, this bill prohibits a city, town, county, or district from discriminating against any person on the basis of gender in the operation of community athletics programs for youth or adults. As of January 1, 2010, cities are required to inform and secure written statements from third parties that they will not discriminate and publish the name, office address, and office telephone number of any employee responsible for carrying out compliance.

The Washington Recreation and Park Association put together a toolkit for cities to use in adopting policies and third party agreements. The toolkit can be accessed at http://wrpatoday.org.dnnmax.com/Resources/ResourcesHeadInjury/GenderEquity/tabid/139/Default.aspx.

Passage of Referendum 71 likely

It appears that Washington voters have approved Referendum 71, keeping in place the law expanding state benefits for registered domestic partners. ESSB 5688, passed by the Legislature earlier this year, had been on hold pending signature gathering efforts on the referendum. Once it qualified for the ballot, the hold was extended until after the election. It is now expected to take effect upon certification of the election (December 3).

The law amends nearly 200 sections of statute to provide that for all purposes under state law, except for marriage or when inconsistent with federal law, state registered domestic partners will be treated the same as spouses. AWC continues to review legal analysis of the impacts of the legislation and will be providing additional information and guidance for public entities.

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