AWC’s priority public records bills HB 1594 & HB 1595 were heard in the Senate State Government Committee last week. It was a good hearing with many good questions from the Senators in attendance.
AWC would like to thank Mayor Jim Hemberry of Quincy and City Manager Kurt Triplett of Kirkland for testifying in support of the bills. We are also very appreciative of our partners at the Washington State Association of Counties for working with AWC on this important effort. There has been a great deal of support for these two bills from other local government associations as well. We appreciate Chief Steve Brooks from the Lacey Fire District and Beth Worthington, President of the North Kitsap School Board for taking the time to testify on the bills.
The Committee Chair, Sen. Mark Miloscia (R-Federal Way) has expressed support for the bills, but plans to add a performance measurement aspect prior to advancing the bills. AWC is open to this addition, but we are working with the Senator to ensure that the requirement isn’t too costly or onerous.
Please continue to talk to your Senator about the importance of updating the Public Records Act as well as all of the work your city puts into records management and fulfilling records requests.