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| Since Washington voters approved the Public Disclosure Act more than 30
years ago, state and local governments have been claiming a growing
number of exemptions to public records laws. |
Public Records Brochures
Obtaining Public Records (pdf)
Denials of Public Records (pdf)
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As a result, citizens have faced increasing obstacles and frustration in their efforts to gain access to government and information. Strong “sunshine laws” are crucial to assuring government accountability and transparency.
Open Government Ombudsman
Assistant Attorney General Tim Ford, the AGO Open Government Ombudsman, works with other assistant attorneys general as they advise their clients and coordinates with and offers training to local government on open government issues.
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2006 Model Rules (Paper Records)
The model rules, designed to reduce litigation and assist smaller local governments and citizen requestors by allowing them to avoid “re-inventing the wheel” on recurring issues, have been adopted and published in the Washington Administrative Code.
Open Government Internet Manual
The Attorney General’s Open Government Internet Manual was produced by the Attorney General’s Office with the assistance of Allied Daily Newspapers of Washington and local and state government organizations. The deskbook is a comprehensive, easy-to-read overview intended to help clarify provisions of the law and hopefully prevent future disagreements. This Internet Manual provides a general summary and is not intended to provide a complete discussion of every detail of the Public Records Act or Open Public Meetings Act.
2007 Model Rules (Electronic Records)
The Legislature directed the Attorney General to adopt advisory model rules on topics including “Fulfilling requests for electronic records.” The model rules are non-binding best practices to assist records requestors and agencies. On June 15, 2007, the Attorney General’s Office adopted the model rules for electronic records.
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March 10-16, 2013 is Sunshine Week!
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Unredacted
Unredacted is an open government resource page where the Open Government Ombudsman shares questions he is frequently asked about public records and open public meetings and provides his informal written analysis.
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