Governor Gregoire Signs Legislation to Improve Government Accountability by Reviewing Public Disclosure Exemptions

For Immediate Release: April 27, 2007

Governor also takes action on a bill to create reporter shield law

OLYMPIA - Governor Chris Gregoire today signed into law a measure that will review exemptions to the voter-approved Public Disclosure Act. After review, recommendations will be made as to whether an exemption should continue, be changed or eliminated.

�Washington leads the country in its commitment to open government and open and available public records,� said Governor Gregoire. �There are over 300 exemptions to the Public Records Act - it is time we take a good long look at each one of them and decide whether they are still necessary today.�

Substitute Senate Bill 5435, sponsored by Sen. Claudia Kauffman (D-Kent), passed the Senate with 47 votes and passed the House with 92 votes. The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the Legislative session.

Gov. Gregoire Signs Bill to Create Reporter Shield Law

Governor Chris Gregoire today signed into law a measure that will shield reporters from having to testify, produce or disclose the identity of a source of information.

�The media has an important role to play in government, business and consumer safety � as a watchdog and protector of the public trust. This bill makes it more likely that sources will share information about sensitive topics,� said Governor Gregoire.

House Bill 1366, sponsored by Rep. Lynn Kessler (D-Hoquiam), passed the House with 94 votes and passed the Senate with 41 votes. The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the Legislative session.

Additional Bill Action Today

Governor Gregoire today also signed the following bills into law:

• E3SHB 1001 - Relating to auto theft.
• HB 1005 - Relating to rates for the rental of county equipment.
• HB 1181 - Relating to the powers and funding of the forensic investigations council.
• HB 1218 - Relating to the temporary issuance, summary suspension, and renewal of licenses by the gambling commission.
• SHB 1264 - Relating to the portability of public retirement benefits.
• HB 1270 - Relating to the duration period of loans made under the consumer loan act.
• HB 1291 - Relating to advance deposit wagering.
• SHB 1319 - Relating to the protection of employees, contract staff, and volunteers of a correctional agency from stalking.
• SHB 1328 - Relating to small works roster contracting procedures.
• SHB 1338 - Relating to the Washington beer commission.
• SHB1445 - Relating to making adjustments to the recodification of the public records act.
• HB 1520 - Relating to polygraph examinations of sexual assault victims.
• SHB 1555 - Relating to sexual assault protection orders.
• SHB 1565 - Relating to public access to child in need of services and at-risk youth hearings.
• E2SHB 1779 - Relating to the GET ready for math and science scholarship program.
• 2SHB 1784 - Relating to investment of funds derived from the sale of lands set apart for institutions of higher education.
• EHB 2070 - Relating to exceptional sentences.
• 2SHB 2220 - Relating to shellfish.
• HB 2240 - Relating to allowing certain activities between domestic wineries, domestic breweries, microbreweries, certificate of approval holders, and retail sellers of beer or wine.
• ESB 5063 - Relating to removing gender references.
• SSB 5193 - Relating to donation of unclaimed personal property to nonprofit charitable organizations.
• SSB 5243 - Relating to increasing the length of confinement for a parole violation committed by certain juvenile sex offenders under the jurisdiction of the department of social and health services, juvenile rehabilitation administration.
• SSB 5321 - Relating to the sharing of child welfare information.
• SB 5332 - Relating to creating a statewide automated victim information and notification system.
• SB 5551 - Relating to enforcement of liquor and tobacco laws.
• SSB 5639 - Relating to a caterer's endorsement for licensed microbreweries.
• E2SSB 5862 - Relating to passenger-only ferry service.

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