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Committee hears support for bill to schedule Sunshine Committee meetings four times a year
Summary
Senate Bill 5049 would change the Sunshine Committee’s meeting requirement from “at least once per quarter” to four meetings annually to improve attendance and scheduling. The committee received testimony from the Sunshine Committee vice chair and the Washington Coalition for Open Government.
Senate Bill 5049, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Wilson, would modify the Sunshine Committee’s meeting requirement so the 13‑member committee must meet at least four times annually rather than “at least once per quarter.”
Danielle Kreech, staff to the committee, briefed members that the Sunshine Committee reviews statutory exemptions to public disclosure and currently must conduct an annual review of each exemption. The proposed substitute bill would change the meeting‑frequency phrasing to require four meetings per year; Kreech said the change showed no fiscal impact in the fiscal note.
Senator Jeff Wilson, prime sponsor, told members the change is intended to improve attendance: “The guise was rather than meet once a quarter... the committee can help drive those 4 times per year that would best be suitable to promote attendance,” he said.
Roland Thompson, vice chair of the Sunshine Committee, testified the committee voted unanimously to ask Senator Wilson to sponsor the bill and said scheduling during session made quarterly meetings difficult for legislators. Donna Christensen of the Washington Coalition for Open Government said her organization supports SB 5049 and urged legislative leadership to fill open appointments to the Sunshine Committee so the panel can function fully.
Vice Chair Krishna Dawson noted 36 written responses in the record in support and none opposed. The committee closed the public hearing without taking a vote on Jan. 24.
Why this matters: The Sunshine Committee reviews statutory public‑disclosure exemptions and issues annual recommendations. Changing the statutory meeting language to require four meetings a year is intended to increase attendance and ensure the committee can produce timely recommendations to the Legislature.
Testimony (selected): Roland Thompson (vice chair, Sunshine Committee); Donna Christensen (Washington Coalition for Open Government).
