State Attorney General Bob Ferguson on Wednesday welcomed the approval of his bill to update the Open Public Meetings Act by the House State Government Committee.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Ferguson\u2019s agency-request legislation would modernize the penalties for knowingly violating the Act\u2019s requirements from $100 to $500, roughly in line with inflation since the law was enacted in 1971. The bill also adds an increased penalty of $1,000 for repeat knowing violations.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cEnsuring open government is the best way to promote good government,\u201d Ferguson said. \u201cI am pleased this overdue update has passed its first legislative hurdle.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cI am disappointed, however, to see this bipartisan legislation receive a party-line vote. Transparency in government should not be a partisan issue. I call on members of both parties to support this legislation on the House floor.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Committee Chair Sam Hunt (D-Olympia) was joined by Vice Chair Steve Bergquist (D-Renton) and Reps. Noel Frame (D-Seattle) and Luis Moscoso (D-Mountlake Terrace) in supporting the bill.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Ranking Minority member Jeff Holy (R-Cheeney), assistant ranking Minority member Luanne Van Werven (R-Lynden) and Rep. Brad Hawkins (R-East Wenatchee) voted in opposition.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n