Open Public Meetings Act gets upgrade

Gov. Jay Inslee wisely signed a bill into law Tuesday that brings Washington’s Open Public Meetings Act into the 21st century.

Senate Bill 6171 increases the maximum penalty for violating the act to $500, up from $100, for an egregious first violation. Repeat offenders could face penalties up to $1,000.

The penalty amount had not been changed since 1971, according to Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who had asked for the law change.

Republican Sen. Pam Roach of Auburn sponsored the bill; Democratic Rep. Sam Hunt of Olympia sponsored the House version.

The Senate voted 49-to-0 to pass it in resounding fashion. But we were disappointed to see opposition in the House, where it passed on a 72-25 vote.

Only two lawmakers from South Sound’s four legislative districts voted against it. They were Republican Rep. Dan Griffey of Allyn and Democratic Rep. Chris Reykdal of Tumwater. Reykdal said the first-offense penalty was too high.

House members who voted in favor were Republican Reps. Andrew Barkis of Lacey, Richard DeBolt of Chehalis, Drew MacEwen of Union, Ed Orcutt of Kalama, and J.T. Wilcox of Yelm; Hunt was the lone Democrat.

On another issue that mattered for government disclosure, the Legislature stumbled by not passing House Bill 1136.

Sponsored by Rep. Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle, it would establish a one-year cooling off period for certain high-ranking state agency officials and legislators who leave state service for the private sector. This would bar them from acting as a paid lobbyist or advocating for a private interest for that year.

This story was originally published March 29, 2016 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Open Public Meetings Act gets upgrade."