[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6325448,"mediaKeyId","2333162-94c5b316ac0db757773c7637b7589972","parentId",2333162,"title","Proposal to require attestation for commercial public‑records requests draws split reaction","audioSeconds",830,"startMs",2080000,"endMs",2910000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333162-94c5b316ac0db757773c7637b7589972&start=2080&end=2910","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333162-94c5b316ac0db757773c7637b7589972/thumbnail_2080000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6325448/Washington/Proposal-to-require-attestation-for-commercial-publicrecords-requests-draws-split-reaction","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325448-d70d24119bc925a7f412be471070e4e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770784674&Signature=PUypEkf1QX3XytJUksPYaml765SvQVkRnAsOhA0uLFj4SC9Fvbbu651JsjP0haNwGoG9Mux5ssORhOcZVshr7mx4OKDgTtwdK0aZ9sbd1MuKtf8DbXwPaFM~8CyEz8sLaiCGWiinFQzwFVFxHYaaN0mbel40CMWilHuEPGRBqEOl~lc6PWChOdI7l1~ae~Ltsy~uG7S6XUImgN6mxicu6AfQKzRClK7C8f~K~di4SB2G0xSLQRdFXpW~BI~V7mDCWcTnr~rXdElShQA38EecV1FNuYd6OI6DlLPSYZQW3h4FLDAOsox2i4CiE1alf3Pp-aT2-5t-MUkPIPjpa0au7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate Environment, Energy & Technology","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1964, a proposal to standardize how local governments evaluate Public Records Act requests for lists of individuals and to require a requester’s attestation that the records will not be used for commercial purposes.

Proponents including the Association of Washington Cities, the Washington State Association of Counties and cities such as Everett said the legislation would codify court guidance, provide a template from the attorney general’s office and give public‑records officers consistent tools to deny or manage requests they suspect are for commercial uses. Paul Jewell of the counties group said a standard template would save time and create consistency for jurisdictions with limited staff.

Opponents, including the Washington Coalition for Open Government and the Coalition for Sensible Public Records Access, said the bill would create barriers to access, potentially require requesters to declare purpose under penalty of perjury and introduce confusion about what constitutes a “commercial purpose.” Attorney Kathy George and others warned that the SEIU court decision cited by proponents imposes an affirmative duty on agencies to investigate suspicious requests, and that a requester’s signed statement alone cannot substitute for that duty.

Morgan Dammerau from the Attorney General’s Office described the AGO’s training and the template the office already shares with local governments after the SEIU decision. Dammerau said putting core requirements into statute could help agencies that experience turnover and lack institutional knowledge, but she acknowledged the bill as drafted would not remove the agency’s independent obligation under case law to evaluate a requester’s purpose when suspicion exists.

Why it matters: Local governments contend the change would curb abusive commercial harvesting of personal data and reduce staff time spent on speculative requests; critics said it risks chilling legitimate public‑interest uses and could expose requesters to legal risk if “penalty of perjury” language is included.

Next steps: Committee members heard technical and legal questions and several proposals for narrower fixes. No vote occurred during the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Environment, Energy & Technology - 2/18/2025 1:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","HB 1964 would require requesters of lists of individuals to affirm they will not use the records for commercial purposes and directs the attorney general to provide a templated attestation; cities and counties supported the change while open‑government groups raised legal and access concerns.","taxTitle","Environment, Energy & Technology, Senate, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20502,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325453,"Bill would broaden redactions in employment‑investigation records; Spokane Valley dispute drives testimony",354,562000,916000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333162-94c5b316ac0db757773c7637b7589972&start=562&end=916","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333162-94c5b316ac0db757773c7637b7589972/thumbnail_562000.jpg","/articles/6325453/Washington/Bill-would-broaden-redactions-in-employmentinvestigation-records-Spokane-Valley-dispute-drives-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325453-8dcc49f23fa6335a799939fa9dd7fa87/orig.mp4?Expires=1770784674&Signature=FZswykIkGWP-jAUyCFSZ3DPr7RATxgi7g15woIY2bWfEmhcbZxQqlfCF7WxlIKrCq4LMRj4P2MbJphiQZbtF8HDkCDklK3TMnBwelS5pEoW-jXlWSw7l9Je6jHWRxlWfMp77W9KGA5lg2QQwZGOsIYNLSPd-Ylx3dlzR4QPOemNiDLUNqjjcABf1LpEsTy8U55uKjVwdqtWdQdnvuCUnL0D7Vzhnvky5QyKC9ZH8yuCchzH2CBfDdsK2QFgB7vBJDJJk9hXzAnvZpNItksh35pLYJrWpa17cI41jrKw4c8X35q1XTKQwKo77MNwXfG7tKod1-7wLrcAab4Ukoc~uyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 1934 returned to the Environment, Energy & Technology Committee for public testimony on a proposal to expand redactions in investigative records relating to workplace harassment or discrimination.

Under current practice, staff said the Public Records Act allows agencies to withhold investigative records while an investigation is ongoing and to redact the names of complainants, accusers and witnesses when disclosing those records after an investigation concludes. Committee staff explained HB 1934 would require agencies to redact additional identifiers — including images, agency job titles, email addresses and phone numbers — and to alter recorded voices while “retaining the inflection and tone” before releasing audio excerpts.

Supporters who spoke in committee said the change would protect employees from retaliation and encourage witnesses to participate in investigations. Patricia Rhodes, a City of Spokane Valley employee, said a council member posted interview transcripts online and that staff were targeted on social media; she testified the bill would “further protect the privacy of accusers and witnesses from retaliatory behavior whilst providing the public relevant information.” City HR Director John Whitehead and City Attorney Kelly Conkray also urged the committee to advance the bill, saying current redactions can leave staff identifiable and deter future reporting.

Labor and employee advocates voiced similar concerns. James Trefry, general counsel for AFSCME Council 2, said his union had sought injunctive relief in a Spokane Valley case because released context made it possible to identify employees and resulted in retaliation.

Not all witnesses supported the bill. Brady Hornstein, a former state employee who said he had been retaliated against, testified in opposition. Hornstein said the Public Records Act had been the tool that allowed him to prove retaliation and warned HB 1934’s voice‑alteration and redaction requirements are underspecified and could be used to conceal evidence.

Committee members and counsel asked multiple clarifying questions about the bill’s scope and the balance between transparency and witness safety. Supporters said the measure is not intended to conceal allegations or outcomes; attorneys noted litigation and discovery processes can still provide identifying information to parties in legal proceedings.

Why it matters: Supporters argued the change would reduce retaliation risks for employees who cooperate with investigations. Opponents said the proposal could impede accountability and complicate records management unless technical standards or limits are clarified.

Next steps: The committee closed the public hearing after a roster of in‑person and remote witnesses. No formal vote was taken during the hearing.","The committee heard public testimony on HB 1934, a bill that would expand redactions in public disclosure of employment‑investigation records to include photos, job titles, email addresses, phone numbers and altered audio.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325459,"Committee hears bill to allow automatic voter registration for enrolled tribal members via state–tribal compacts",115,201000,316000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333162-94c5b316ac0db757773c7637b7589972&start=201&end=316","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333162-94c5b316ac0db757773c7637b7589972/thumbnail_201000.jpg","/articles/6325459/Washington/Committee-hears-bill-to-allow-automatic-voter-registration-for-enrolled-tribal-members-via-statetribal-compacts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325459-8958f4283f7458bccc60e15ddf41da62/orig.mp4?Expires=1770784674&Signature=Lq1l6nE9l~NhAaOHb~b7CmQzi3L6bANw5SxS8IWBxW9F-pLURR-yNmaAO7tbtWC35Hbly7gtsW~2ToeSLu5xxWCoyNkYiQldg8cgpe-p7z-3o0V3z0XIq3iG2SQb4yfWUlJjNI-rqEMovyYdWc9SsLA8tA00nFyEwrNXeLF~ijkAGZ75Th5fSnu17t04NZ4RI4wnBmT7NVSPg7tkOGwr7USbHI5Gn92y4eXbCRPXvRbr0rZWulUQf8jNAsVbcVd5WMr4SpJa4SjSXk9om2XTglg0566MwwYb-f4X~TuXm5sAZb-WxjCoCJZy-FTPsiUp5sIhghgDUKFC3WDhrq7~3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A House committee on Environment, Energy & Technology heard testimony on House Bill 1713, a proposal to authorize automatic voter registration for members of federally recognized tribes through state–tribal compacts.

Staff told the committee the bill would let the Secretary of State enter compacts with tribes to receive and process voter-registration data, use the same notice and opt‑out procedures that the Department of Licensing (DOL) currently uses for automatic voter registration, and accept digital signature images and other information necessary to register eligible voters.

Connor Schiff, counsel to the committee, summarized existing automatic voter registration in Washington and described how HB 1713 would mirror the DOL process for tribes. He said the bill “establishes processes for automatic voter registration for members of federally recognized tribes” and directs the Secretary of State to create an application and approval process for compacts.

Sponsor Representative Chris Stearns (D‑47th) told the committee the measure grew from a review of Native American turnout and registration rates in the state. He said Native American turnout is “substantially below other populations,” citing a roughly 16% voting rate and that about 25% of eligible Native Americans were not registered. Stearns described the proposal as an opt‑in option for tribes and called it a starting point for discussions with tribal officials.

Sean Merchant, policy director in the Secretary of State’s Office, said the office supports efforts to make registration easier but raised a legal concern about section 2 of the bill. Merchant said his office believes state–tribal compacts are typically executed by the governor as a nation‑to‑nation matter and that the bill may need drafting adjustments to reflect that practice.

No formal action or vote occurred during the hearing. Committee members asked technical and jurisdictional questions and heard that other states (Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and Michigan) have pursued similar opt‑in arrangements with tribes.

Why it matters: Supporters said the bill could reduce disparities in voter registration among tribal members by making registration automatic when tribes opt in to share verification data. The bill leaves choice with tribes and keeps existing DOL automatic registration processes intact.

Next steps: The committee closed the hearing on HB 1713 after staff and sponsor remarks. Sponsors indicated they plan to continue work on the measure over the interim and to consult with tribal governments and the Secretary of State’s office on implementation details.","A House committee on Environment, Energy & Technology heard testimony on House Bill 1713, a proposal to authorize automatic voter registration for members of federally recognized tribes through state–tribal compacts.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325444,"Public testimony divided as committee considers public process to redesign Washington state flag",4765,0,4765000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333162-94c5b316ac0db757773c7637b7589972&start=0&end=4765","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333162-94c5b316ac0db757773c7637b7589972/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6325444/Washington/Public-testimony-divided-as-committee-considers-public-process-to-redesign-Washington-state-flag","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325444-8b9bfed262126c8995c91d451da698b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770784674&Signature=ijzcHZNgsJan2daKqStOx7pOCy0DLKiZy4qPQSg9~Zu8nyGCXlxJuaWF0SA~BEbpIOMkZhEPbcBfiymVm0-M3F6YeHl5bqTZHfssomdKG59ee6k3jmKDaPCEFfrCzjFwgunupm-U6b9aSNVLoU124GaFDhoE~Y2~HM56EQP-jKP8TloAwxboJwpDr0kwAm-DRos-BS2zsC15vdCzcPmJvlRe1XBT-8QItHoNloI5KjiTWDl4OUescyVFpvO5L33xzdWT1aWgxR-v6UinflN~taPy5T8k0bp9YktdFgPKdutWMjlBs7rF1-F0msbkjBxeZXeC-qy~ZzPo4nXfjjdvhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee heard a large number of in‑person and remote witnesses on House Bill 1938, a proposal to create a public process and commission to consider a new Washington state flag.

Supporters told the committee the current flag — the state seal printed on a green field — is overly complex, hard to reproduce and fails to function as a unifying civic symbol. Graphic designers and vexillographers said simpler, iconic flags encourage civic pride and are easier and cheaper to reproduce. Bradley Lockhart, a graphic artist who designed Bellingham’s city flag, described local flag redesigns that became popular civic symbols and said the moment is right for a public process. Several young witnesses and vexillology hobbyists said the bill does not require changing the state seal or the state name, only a public process to produce a new flag design.

Opponents urged caution. Some said the proposal would needlessly divert attention from other state priorities and could be divisive. Jeff Pack of Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes called the bill an extravagance given budget shortfalls; other witnesses urged a slower, public design contest rather than immediate legislative action. Some testifiers emphasized the historical connection of the current flag to the state’s name and to a locally created seal.

Multiple witnesses asked the committee to make the process broadly participatory, including tribal engagement and a public competition of submitted designs. Several testifiers noted that other states and dozens of Washington cities have recently reconsidered or redesigned flags, and proponents pointed to those examples as a model.

Why it matters: A revised state flag could become a widely used civic symbol and affect production and licensing costs; the debate also raises cultural and historical questions about representation.

Next steps: The committee heard more than a dozen witnesses in a compressed schedule and closed the hearing without voting. Members signaled they may refine the bill’s language about public participation, tribal consultation and whether the state seal or name would be retained.","House Bill 1938, which would establish a public commission and process to recommend a new design for Washington's state flag, prompted lengthy, divided public testimony during the committee’s hearing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Proposal to require attestation for commercial public‑records requests draws split reaction

Bill would broaden redactions in employment‑investigation records; Spokane Valley dispute drives testimony

Committee hears bill to allow automatic voter registration for enrolled tribal members via state–tribal compacts

Public testimony divided as committee considers public process to redesign Washington state flag