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SB 5049

Concerning the public records exemptions accountability committee.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Phil Fortunato and 2 co-sponsors

The bill allows the Sunshine Committee to schedule meetings with more flexibility by replacing “once a quarter” with “four times a year” while keeping duties and structure unchange

Effective date 7/27/2025.
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Bill Summary · SB 5049

Summary — SB 5049 (Chapter 110, 2025 Laws)

Title: Concerning the public records exemptions accountability committee (amends RCW 42.56.140)
Introduced: 12/13/2024 • Governor signed: 4/22/2025 • Effective: 7/27/2025

Purpose

SB 5049 makes a narrow procedural change to the statute that governs the Public Records Exemptions Accountability Committee (commonly the “Sunshine Committee”). Its intent is to provide the committee greater scheduling flexibility while preserving its existing duties and membership.

Key provisions

  • Amends RCW 42.56.140(7)(c) to change the meeting-frequency requirement:
    • Replaces the phrase “must meet at least once a quarter” with “must meet at least four times a year.”
  • All other statutory provisions for the committee remain unchanged, including:
    • Composition (13 members appointed by governor, attorney general, state auditor, and legislative leaders; four public members).
    • Chair selection (by governor).
    • Duties to develop review criteria, publish a review schedule, consider public input, hold open meetings, and transmit annual recommendations by November 15.
    • Staff support from the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of Financial Management.
    • Reimbursement rules for members’ travel.
  • No appropriation included. A fiscal note is available.

Who is affected

  • The Public Records Exemptions Accountability Committee and its members (legislative and non‑legislative).
  • Offices that staff or interact with the committee (Attorney General, OFM).
  • Stakeholders who monitor or participate in committee meetings (media, public records requesters, agencies with statutory exemptions).

Practical impact

  • Largely procedural and clarifying: changing “once a quarter” to “four times a year” preserves the intent to hold four meetings annually but allows the committee to schedule those meetings flexibly across the year (helpful for coordinating with legislative calendars and avoiding quorum problems).
  • Does not alter the committee’s review authority, reporting deadlines, transparency requirements, or membership.
  • Expected fiscal impact is minimal; no new funding required.

Legislative history (selected)

  • Prefiled: 12/13/2024; First reading: 1/13/2025
  • Passed Senate: 2/25/2025 (49–0); Passed House: 4/11/2025 (95–0)
  • Delivered to Governor: 4/17/2025; Signed into law: 4/22/2025
  • Effective date: 90 days after adjournment — listed as 7/27/2025

Sponsor / Support

  • Sponsored by Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections; originally Senators J. Wilson, McCune, and Fortunato.
  • Testimony in support emphasized scheduling flexibility to accommodate legislators and prevent quorum problems. No recorded opposition.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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