Gov. Inslee relaxes open government laws

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To further facilitate the social distancing and stay-at-home orders put in place in the past two weeks, Gov. Jay Inslee suspended several parts of the state’s government transparency laws this week.

The order, which is in effect until April 24, temporarily waives certain requirements of Washington’s Open Public Meeting and Public Records acts.

Public meetings are no longer required to be held in public spaces, but must have options for public comment and participation remotely.

Public agencies are no longer required to initially respond to public records requests within five days, but are still required to respond quickly.

Local agencies such as the PUD, Jefferson Transit, local schools boards, the Board of County Commissioners and the City of Port Townsend have been modifying the availability of their meetings and creating more ways for the public to participate remotely.

Information about how the public can comment and remotely view or review public meetings can be found at each respective agency’s website.