La Conner council adopts policy requiring disclosure and review of AI-generated materials

The La Conner Town Council on an affirmative vote adopted Resolution 667, a townwide artificial intelligence usage policy that requires disclosure when AI tools are used to create documents and mandates human review of AI-generated materials.

Council members and staff said the measure is intended to let the public know when content is produced or substantially shaped by generative tools and to reduce the risk of fabricated or unverified claims. Scott, a town staff member who introduced the policy, said the measure distinguishes between “generative” AI (which produces documents or images) and “interactive” AI (tools that guide users through procedures) and requires disclosure on documents where AI was the only or a primary source. He cited an example of a municipal permitting tool used elsewhere to illustrate the interactive model.

The policy calls for explicit notification that AI was used on a document — in a title line, footnote or other clear placement — and requires staff review before release. Councilmembers discussed concerns about factual errors produced by AI; Scott referenced a recent case in which a state agency document contained footnotes that could not be verified. The council moved and seconded the resolution and voted in favor.

Council members said the policy is intended to allow staff and volunteers to use AI as one research source while preserving human oversight and accountability. The action was recorded as the adoption of Resolution 667.

The council did not set an implementation timeline in the meeting; staff said they would follow the adopted policy in future document workflows and return with any needed administrative guidance.