RCW 42.30.010
Legislative declaration.
The legislature finds and declares that all public commissions, boards, councils, committees, subcommittees, departments, divisions, offices, and all other public agencies of this state and subdivisions thereof exist to aid in the conduct of the people's business. It is the intent of this chapter that their actions be taken openly and that their deliberations be conducted openly.
The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed and informing the people's public servants of their views so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created. For these reasons, even when not required by law, public agencies are encouraged to incorporate and accept public comment during their decision-making process.
[ 2022 c 115 § 2; 1971 ex.s. c 250 § 1.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note: Throughout this chapter, the phrases "this act" and "this 1971 amendatory act" have been changed to "this chapter." "This act" [1971 ex.s. c 250] consists of this chapter, the amendment to RCW 34.04.025, and the repeal of RCW 42.32.010 and 42.32.020.
Findings—Intent—2022 c 115: See note following RCW 42.30.230.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies
Chapter 42.30 - Open Public Meetings Act.
42.30.010 - Legislative declaration.
42.30.030 - Meetings declared open and public.
42.30.040 - Conditions to attendance not to be required.
42.30.050 - Interruptions—Procedure.
42.30.070 - Times and places for meetings—Emergencies—Exception.
42.30.077 - Agendas of regular meetings—Online availability.
42.30.110 - Executive sessions.
42.30.120 - Violations—Personal liability—Civil penalty—Attorneys' fees and costs.
42.30.130 - Violations—Mandamus or injunction.
42.30.140 - Chapter controlling—Application.
42.30.210 - Assistance by attorney general.
42.30.220 - Recording or online streaming by agency encouraged.
42.30.230 - Declared emergencies—Remote meeting—Limits on physical attendance.