WA People
BILL · 2015–16 SESSION

SB 6171: OPMA civil penalties

Concerning civil penalties for knowing attendance by a member of a governing body at a meeting held in violation of the open public meetings act.

Summary

  • Increases the penalty for a member of a governing body violating the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) from $100 to $500.
  • Adds a $1,000 penalty for any subsequent violation of the OPMA by a governing body member who was previously penalized.

From the House Bill Report (SB 6171), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 58, Laws of 2016
  1. IntroducedJan 11, 2016
  2. Out of committeeJan 29, 2016
  3. Passed SenateFeb 16, 2016
  4. Passed HouseMar 4, 2016
  5. GovernorMar 29, 2016
  6. LawMar 29, 2016
Prime sponsor
Pam Roach (R-31)
Introduced
January 11, 2016 in the Senate
Last action
March 29, 2016
Session law
Chapter 58, Laws of 2016
Requested by
State agency
Companion bill
HB 2353

AN ACT Relating to civil penalties for knowing attendance by a member of a governing body at a meeting held in violation of the open public meetings act;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Pam Roach (R-31)

2 co-sponsors (1 Democrat, 1 Republican)

Marko Liias D-21Don Benton R-17

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 16, 2016
Version voted on: SB 6171
49 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat24000
Republican25000
How each member voted

Yea (49)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage

Passed March 4, 2016
Version voted on: SB 6171
72 Yea 25 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat48200
Republican242301
How each member voted

Yea (72)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 6/9/2016.
  2. Chapter 58, 2016 Laws.
  3. Governor signed.
  4. Speaker signed.
  5. Delivered to Governor.
  6. President signed.
  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 72; nays, 25; absent, 0; excused, 1.
  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  10. Referred to Rules 2 Review.
  11. SG - Majority; do pass.
  12. First reading, referred to State Government (Not Officially read and referred until adoption of Introduction report).
  13. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.
  14. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
  15. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  16. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  17. Minority; do not pass.
  18. GOS - Majority; do pass.
  19. First reading, referred to Government Operations & Security.
  20. Prefiled for introduction.

SB 6171 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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