2: Government Policy
Government and Policy Initiatives Other Information:
Summary of Activities for 2007: Legislation Tracking: During the legislative session WCOG published frequent updates of its
Bill Status Report, analyzing and tracking the progress of all bills identified as having an impact on the Public Records
Act, Open Public Meetings Act, the Records Preservation Act (RCW 40.14), and other open government laws, and recommending
WCOG positions and possible amendments. Legislative Testimony: Representatives of WCOG testified in Olympia on priority bills,
educating legislators on the impacts of proposed legislation on open government. These included bills creating the Sunshine
Committee, clarifying the statute of limitations on public records requests, emphasizing that agency legal bills are disclosable,
concealing the birthdates of public employees and voters, exempting detailed pipeline mapping data from disclosure, and many
others. Testimony was followed up with email and other communication to legislators to reinforce the information provided.
In many cases, our testimony had the desired effect, with unfavorable bills failing and good bills passing. Sunshine Committee:
One of the bills WCOG strongly supported was to create the Public Records Exemptions Accountability Committee, also known
as the Sunshine Committee, which is charged with reviewing all identifiable exemptions to the Public Records Act and recommending
to the legislature whether they should be repealed, retained, or amended. WCOG advocated for the appointment of strong open
government advocates to the committee, and two WCOG board members – Ken Bunting of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, and Patience
Rogge of the Washington Library Association – were appointed, as was Frank Garred, a founding member and former executive
director of WCOG. WCOG has been represented by many members at every meeting of the committee and testified on every issue
so far considered, advocating for expansion of open government. Legislative Agenda: For the first time, the Coalition this
year adopted a legislative agenda containing 26 specific proposals to improve Washington’s open government laws. The top priority
proposals include restoring the scope of the attorney-client communications exemption, restoring the balance between the statute
of limitations and penalties for violations of the Public Records Act, improving preservation of records, and requiring the
recording of executive sessions. In the fall of 2007, representatives of the Coalition met with the chairs and ranking members
of both the House and Senate committees with responsibility for open government laws, with other legislative leaders, with
the State Auditor, Secretary of State, and the Attorney General’s senior staff, to explain and advocate for the proposed changes.
Legislation has been introduced in the 2008 session to implement many of the Coalition’s proposals. Open Government Pledge:
The Coalition sent letters to every person who declared their intent to seek public office in 2007 – a total of 1,580 candidates
– and invited them to sign a pledge to uphold the letter and spirit of the state’s Public Records Act and Open Public Meetings
Act. Over 180 candidates returned signed pledges and were acknowledged on the Coalition’s web site and in a news release to
the media. Many of the candidates requested information on joining the Coalition and have done so. Model Rules for Implementation
of the Public Records Act: Legislation passed in 2005 required the Attorney General to propose model rules for government
agencies implementing provisions of the Public Records Act. The Coalition participated in stakeholder meetings convened by
the Attorney General’s office prior to drafting the rules, and also commented on the draft rules particularly in the areas
of electronic records and accessibility of records for people with disabilities. Attorney General Opinions: The Coalition
is notified whenever the Attorney General is requested to render an opinion on interpretation of open government laws and
is invited to comment on what the interpretation should be. In 2007, the Coalition submitted comments on an opinion request
regarding disclosure of personal information of children and special needs adults participating in Parks, Recreation & Community
Services programs. Review of Proposed Legislation: The Coalition’s increasing influence and credibility is evidenced by the
number of government agencies who seek out the Coalition’s input on proposed legislation. This year, the Department of Social
and Health Services sought out the Coalition’s opinion of draft legislation regarding disclosability of security plans for
facilities housing sexually violent predators, the Department of Licensing sought Coalition input on a bill exempting from
disclosure documents submitted to prove identity with applications for enhanced driver licenses, and Monroe city councilmembers
asked for Coalition review of a draft city ordinance on open government.
Objective(s):
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