Rep. Peter Abbarno introduces bill to streamline access to public records, make government more open and accountable to citizens

Rep. Peter Abbarno introduced legislation this week aimed at making Washington state government more open, transparent, and accountable to citizens.

House Bill 1856 would commission a legislative task force and broad-based study on the establishment of the Washington Office of Transparency Ombuds, which would serve as a nonpartisan and independent agency tasked with helping Washingtonians access public records.

“The decisions made every day by elected officials and government agencies impact the lives of millions of people in Washington,” said Abbarno, R-Centralia, the ranking member on the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee. “The people have right to know how these decisions are made. Barriers to public records are not only costly to taxpayers – they’re a disservice to good government.”

In 1972, the Washington voters established the Public Records Act with Initiative 276, which required that most records maintained by state, county, and city governments be made available to the public. At the time, the Act included only 10 exemptions from public disclosure. Today, there are more than 500 exemptions. During the 2023 legislative session alone, the House passed five bills expanding or creating new exemptions.  

Currently, when a legislator or state agency refuses to comply with a public records request from a member of the public, the only recourse is through the legal system to resolve disputes. The status quo has cost taxpayers and state agencies over $100 million, plus legal fees and costs.   

“The Public Records Act process is becoming more complex and costly for both requesters of records and the public agency,” said Abbarno. “And with complexity, records are less accessible, agencies less transparent, and government less accountable. The task force is a positive step for our state to implement a better process for access and adjudication of these record requests.”

The 20th District legislator’s proposal would establish a 12-member Joint Legislative Committee on Transparency, comprised of:

  • Two members the state House: one member from the majority caucus and one from the minority caucus appointed by the Speaker of the House and House minority leader, respectively;
  • Two members the state Senate: one member from the majority caucus and one from the minority caucus appointed by the Senate majority leader and Senate minority leader, respectively;
  • The chair of the Public Records Exemptions Accountability Committee (Sunshine Committee) who will also serve as chair of the transparency committee;
  • Four representatives from media and broadcasting organizations, each appointed by one of the four caucus leaders in the Legislature;  
  • One member appointed by the governor;
  • One member appointed by the attorney general; and
  • One representative from the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee, which may include committee staff, selected by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee.

Under the measure, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee, with the Joint Legislative Committee on Transparency and a representative from the Office of the Attorney General, would conduct a study on the efficacy of establishing the Washington Office of Transparency Ombuds as an independent state agency to assist individuals with accessing public records.

“The people of Washington deserve a more open, transparent, and accountable government, and House Bill 1856 is an important step in that direction,” added Abbarno. “Other states struggle with the same issues and Washington state has an opportunity to be an open government trailblazer.”

Abbarno plans to meet over the summer and work on passing House Bill 1856 during the 2024 legislative session.

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov