WA People
BILL · 2023–24 SESSION

SB 5459: Election info. requests

Concerning requests for records containing election information.

Summary

  • Creates a new Public Records Act (PRA) exemption for records regarding the infrastructure of a private entity submitted to elections officials, for 25 years after creation and when accompanied by a specific statement.
  • Creates a new PRA exemption for voted ballots, or images, copies, photographs, or cast vote records of voted ballots.
  • Specifies that PRA requests for records from the statewide voter registration database must be submitted to and fulfilled by the Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS), not county elections officials.
  • Repeals the requirement for the OSOS to develop statewide election data and reporting standards.

From the House Bill Report (SB 5459), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 404, Laws of 2023
  1. IntroducedJan 19, 2023
  2. Out of committeeFeb 8, 2023
  3. Passed SenateFeb 28, 2023
  4. Passed HouseApr 10, 2023
  5. GovernorMay 9, 2023
  6. LawMay 9, 2023
Prime sponsor
Senator (D-22)
Introduced
January 19, 2023 in the Senate
Last action
May 9, 2023
Session law
Chapter 404, Laws of 2023
Budget
Has a fiscal note

AN ACT Relating to requests for records containing election information;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Senator (D-22)

3 co-sponsors (3 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Patty Kuderer D-48Javier Valdez D-46Claire Wilson D-30

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 28, 2023
Version voted on: SB 5459
43 Yea 4 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat28001
Republican15401
How each member voted

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

House · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed April 10, 2023
Version voted on: SB 5459
58 Yea 40 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat58000
Republican04000
How each member voted

Yea (58)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 7/23/2023.
  2. Chapter 404, 2023 Laws.
  3. Governor signed.
  4. Delivered to Governor.
  5. Speaker signed.
  6. President signed.
  7. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
  8. Third reading, passed; yeas, 58; nays, 40; absent, 0; excused, 0.
  9. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
  10. Referred to Rules 2 Review.
  11. Minority; do not pass.
  12. SGOV - Majority; do pass.
  13. SGOV - Executive action taken by committee.
  14. First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations.
  15. Third reading, passed; yeas, 43; nays, 4; absent, 0; excused, 2.
  16. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
  17. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  18. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  19. SGE - Majority; do pass.
  20. First reading, referred to State Government & Elections.

SB 5459 in other sessions

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

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