Transparency in the Washington state government

Lobbying disclosure information
URL: http://www.pdc.wa.gov/public/Lobbyist/Default.aspx

Description:
 * Washington State Public Disclosure Commission has many lobbyist search features, including:
 * Pictorial directory of registered lobbyists
 * Printable address list of registered lobbyists
 * Index of registered lobbyists
 * Lobbyist expenditure summary reports
 * Lobbyist top spending and paid reports (which lobbyists are the top spenders and earners)

Campaign finance disclosure
URL: http://www.pdc.wa.gov/QuerySystem/Default.aspx

Description:
 * Allows searching for campaign finance by candidates, political committees, statewide ballot initiatives, party committees, and caucus committees.

State of Washington website
URL: http://access.wa.gov/

Description:
 * Site includes employee directory, links to Washington state YouTube videos, RSS feeds, mobile information, a state budget calculator, and current news affecting the state.

Washington State fiscal information
URL: http://fiscal.wa.gov/Default.aspx

Description:
 * Official online spending database created by Washington Senate Bill 6818 (Promoting Transparency in State Expenditures).
 * Shows how state officials and legislators allocate taxpayer dollars.

Washington State Legislature website
URL: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/

Description:
 * Contains a search-able legislation database

Proposed legislation
HB 1017

(Track Bill) Sponsors: Reps. Kessler, Ross, Johnson, Parker, Springer, Miloscia, Chandler, Newhouse, Armstrong, Williams, Morrell, Liias, Anderson, Sullivan, Blake, Hudgins, Wallace


 * Creates a committee to study the feasibility of creating a board with public records act and open public meetings act responsibilities.

SB 5339

(Track bill) Sponsonrs: Sens. Kilmer, Swecker, Oemig, Morton, Haugen


 * Creates a committee to study the formation of a board to hear complaints alleging violations of the Public Records Act and the Open Public Meetings Act.

SB 5119

(Track Bill) Sponsor: Sen. Darlene Fairley


 * Eliminates the Sunshine Committee, which was charged with reviewing exemptions to the Public Disclosures Act and proposing possible changes.
 * External link: "Lawmaker warns state Sunshine panel to speed it up or shut down"

SB 5249

(Track bill) Sponsor: Sen. Darlene Fairley


 * Would allow an agency to deny a records request to someone with an unpaid balance from a previous request.

SB 5250

(Track bill) Sponsor: Sen. Darlene Fairley


 * Increases the maximum per page copy charge for records from 15 cents to 25 cents.

SB 5251

(Track bill) Sponsor: Sen. Darlene Fairley


 * Defines page per cost to include all copies made to fulfill a request, including those not taken by the requestor. Currently requestors are charged only for the copies they take.

SB 6098

(Track bill) Sponsor: Sen. Pam Roach


 * Requires state agencies to place specified information on their websites, including meeting notices, agendas, and minutes.

HB 1436

(Track bill) Sponsors: Reps. Moeller, Hunt


 * Requires lobbyists, their employers, and state agencies to file lobbying reports online. The costs of setting up the system would be funded by a one-time fee on lobbyists, their employers, and state agencies. The ranges from $150 to $500.

More legislative information
For more on transparency legislation, see the Washington transparency legislation webpage at Sunshine Review.