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SB 5707

Establishing a housing court pilot program.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Patty Kuderer and 4 co-sponsors

SB 5707 adds an exemption to RCW 42.56.230 shielding email addresses of people who subscribe to local agency updates, protecting privacy while other data remain public.

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
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Bill Summary · SB 5707

Summary of SB 5707 – Exemption for Email Addresses of Local Agency Subscribers

Purpose and intent

SB 5707 proposes to protect the privacy of individuals who subscribe to regular communications and updates from local government agencies. By adding an exemption to the Public Records Act, the bill aims to prevent disclosure of the email addresses provided by subscribers, thereby reducing potential unwanted contact and privacy concerns while maintaining transparency for other information.

Key provisions

  • Reenacts and amends RCW 42.56.230, the list of exemptions under the Washington Public Records Act.
  • Adds a new exemption (item 14) for:
    • Email addresses of individuals who submit their information to a local agency for the purpose of subscribing to regular communications and updates (e.g., agency newsletters or similar publications).
  • This exemption is designed to keep subscriber email addresses confidential from public inspection and copying, while other related data may continue to be disclosed where permitted by law.

What is changing

  • Current practice under RCW 42.56.230 already excludes a broad set of personal information from public disclosure. SB 5707 extends this framework to the specific case of subscriber email addresses, treating them as private information.

Who would be affected

  • Individuals who subscribe to newsletters or updates from local government agencies (subscribers).
  • Local agencies that maintain contact databases for public communications.
  • Public records request processes that seek access to subscriber emails would need to withhold those addresses, unless a specific exception applies.

Potential impact

  • Privacy and security: Reduced risk of unwanted contact, targeting, or privacy breaches for individuals who subscribe to agency communications.
  • Transparency considerations: Public access to subscriber emails would be restricted; other information about agency communications may remain accessible if not otherwise exempt.
  • Administrative: Agencies will need to ensure their records systems can distinguish and withhold email addresses submitted for subscription purposes.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.
  • Introduced: February 7, 2025.
  • No explicit effective date is provided in the text excerpt. If enacted, traditional practice would determine the effective date (often upon enactment or a set period after enactment), but the bill text does not specify this.

Next steps

  • The bill will undergo committee consideration (State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections), possible amendments, and floor votes before advancing to passage or referral to the governor for signature. Public participation and testimony during committee hearings may occur as part of the process.

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

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