SB 5787, concerning hours of availability for inspection and copying of public records, recently passed out of the House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee and is waiting to be moved out of the House Rules Committee for a floor vote. This bill provides special allowances for cities and towns that maintain office hours for less than thirty hours per week as to timeframes for determining when a records request was made.
For cities and towns impacted, a public records request is considered made when:
- Contact with personnel of the city or town results in such personnel actually knowing that a request is being made; or
- Proof that delivery of a properly addressed certified letter, return receipt requested, was attempted, whether or not the letter is accepted.
The city or town must respond within the time requirements of RCW 42.56.520 and the request is considered received either as of the date of the next regularly scheduled meeting or thirty days from the date the request is made, depending on which is sooner.
The bill needs to pass the House by the April 17 cutoff deadline.