Assistant Attorney General gives Open Public Meetings Act refresher to Select Committee on Pension Policy

Assistant Attorney General Kate Adams gave a refresher on the Open Public Meetings Act (chapter 42.30 RCW) to the Select Committee on Pension Policy, telling members they had received a litigation‑hold notice and outlining when the statute applies.

Adams said the OPMA must be “liberally construed” and its exemptions “narrowly construed,” and warned that a quorum conducting any official business — not just final votes — can trigger the statute. She told the committee to treat deliberations, receipt of public comment and even some educational exchanges as potential “action” under the law and to avoid serial meetings or evolving email chains that could constitute a de facto meeting.

The assistant attorney general reviewed executive‑session rules, including the need to announce statutory authority and return time and to avoid final action in executive session. She noted common executive‑session exceptions (litigation, contract negotiation, complaints about employees, security breaches) and said counsel must usually be present for litigation discussions. Adams also summarized remedies for OPMA violations: actions taken in violation can be void and knowing violations carry civil penalties.

Adams pointed members to guidance available from the State Auditor, the Municipal Research Service Center and the AGO’s open government resources, and invited members to contact her with specific questions. The presentation was informational; the committee asked no formal follow‑up vote on OPMA guidance.