Bill > SB5623

This bill amends the existing law regarding the Public Records Exemptions Accountability Committee (PREAC), which is a 13-member committee responsible for reviewing and recommending changes to public disclosure exemptions in Washington state. The committee's composition includes appointees from the governor, attorney general, state auditor, and legislative leadership, with the governor selecting the chair and appointing four public members. The committee's purpose is to systematically review all public disclosure exemptions in the state, develop review criteria, and provide annual recommendations about whether each exemption should be continued, modified, scheduled for future review, or terminated. The key change in this bill is a new requirement that the committee present its annual recommendations directly to the appropriate legislative committees during committee assembly days, ensuring more direct communication and transparency. The committee must meet at least quarterly, hold public meetings, consider input from interested parties, and receive administrative support from the attorney general's office and the office of financial management. Legislative and non-legislative members are eligible for travel expense reimbursement, and the code reviser is required to provide the committee with an annual list of all public disclosure exemptions for review.

Government Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5623&Year=2025&Initiative=false