WA HB2661

Establishes a 12-member legislative task force on public records act modernization with 8 voting members (representing public records officers, newspapers, open government coalition, cities, school risk management, state bar association for justice, attorney general, and school administrators) and 4 nonvoting legislators

Task force must hold initial meeting by August 1, 2026, conduct at least 4 virtual meetings, and submit findings and recommendations to the governor and legislature by October 1, 2027

Directs the task force to examine frivolous, retaliatory, or harassing public records requests and their impact on state and local agencies, including strategies to deter abuse such as preventing anonymous requests and eliminating financial motivations for bad faith requests

Requires study of enhanced judicial discretion to stop abusive requests and review of approaches taken by other states to address bad faith records requests

William D. Ruckelshaus Center provides meeting facilitation; staff support provided by Senate Committee Services and House Office of Program Research; task force expires October 15, 2027