Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed updates to the Public Records Act (PRA) Model Rules, which go into effect on April 2, 2018.
The Model Rules provide information about the PRA and some suggested best practices. They are advisory and do not have the force of law; however, they can guide governments as they develop their public records rules and procedures.
The updates to the Model Rules:
- Confirm that the public is entitled to request public records stored on personal devices if those records concern municipal business;
- Address relevant court rulings and legislative changes to the PRA, including copy fees and required records training;
- Address technology changes, such as online records portals, and give examples of how cities can provide records electronically; and
- Significantly reduce the PRA exemptions and judicial review discussions, referring readers to opinions, statutes, and to other resources on the law.
The Model Rules also state that local governments should reasonably organize its records and maintain an index of records. Cities are encouraged to refer to the extensive guidance published by the Secretary of State for advice regarding records management.