The 2019 Legislature introduced many open government-related bills but only a handful became law. Legislators entered the 2019 session under harsh scrutiny after the controversial passage of SB 6617 during the 2018 session. SB 6617 would have removed the Legislature from the Public Records Act (PRA) and subject it to less stringent public disclosure requirements. Following public backlash, Governor Inslee quickly vetoed the measure after legislators agreed not to override his action. A lawsuit against the Legislature seeking access to legislative public records remains ongoing, and the state Supreme Court is expected issue a ruling in late 2019. The 2018 controversy, the pending state Supreme Court decision, along with increased public interest in protecting the PRA, made many legislators wary of passing legislation that would amend the PRA this session.

There were, however, a few non-controversial bills related to public records that were able to gain enough support and momentum to become law this session. AWC-backed HB 1667, which improves the new public records reporting requirements and ends the sunset on local government public records technical assistance and grant programs, was unanimously passed.

Also passing in 2019 were HB 1692 and HB 2020, which both aim to protect harassment victims by exempting accuser names from public disclosure. Lastly, the Legislature passed HB 1537, ending the exemption for applications for vacancies in elected office as recommended by the Sunshine Committee.

During the interim, AWC will continue to monitor the state Supreme Court case related to legislative records. There will likely be additional information regarding the changes to public records reporting requirements. Stay on top of these issues with our monthly Legislative Bulletin emails.

Open government