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Attorney General Rob McKenna believes access to open government is vitally important in a free society. That's why he's made government accountability, open records and access one of the top priorities in his administration. | Public Records Brochures
Obtaining Public Records (pdf)
Denials of Public Records (pdf) | Since Washington voters approved the Public Disclosure Act more than 30 years ago, state and local governments have been claiming a growing number of exemptions to public records laws. As a result, citizens have faced increasing obstacles and frustration in their efforts to gain access to government and information. Strong “sunshine laws” are crucial to assuring government accountability and transparency. Open Government Ombudsman To assist in promoting public access to government, Attorney General McKenna created a new position in the Attorney General's Office called Open Government Ombudsman. Assistant Attorney General Tim Ford, the AGO Open Government Ombudsman, works with other assistant attorneys general as they advise their clients and coordinates with and offers training to local government on open government issues.
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Attorney General McKenna on the Open Government Tour in Spokane.
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Unredacted Unredacted is an open government resource page where the Open Government Ombudsman shares questions he is frequently asked about public records and open public meetings and provides his informal written analysis. Open Government Internet Manual The Attorney General’s Open Government Internet Manual was produced by the Attorney General’s Office with the assistance of Allied Daily Newspapers of Washington and local and state government organizations. The deskbook is a comprehensive, easy-to-read overview intended to help clarify provisions of the law and hopefully prevent future disagreements. This Internet Manual provides a general summary and is not intended to provide a complete discussion of every detail of the Public Records Act or Open Public Meetings Act. 2006 Model Rules (Paper Records) The model rules, designed to reduce litigation and assist smaller local governments and citizen requestors by allowing them to avoid “re-inventing the wheel” on recurring issues, have been adopted and published in the Washington Administrative Code. | 
March 15-21, 2009 is Sunshine Week! Read the Sunshine Week '09 letter that State Auditor Brian Sonntag and Attorney General Rob McKenna wrote to state government entities. Read Attorney General Rob McKenna's editorial: OPINION: "Technology can create a window into government" (Tri-City Herald, Mar. 17, 2009)
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2007 Model Rules (Electronic Records) The Legislature directed the Attorney General to adopt advisory model rules on topics including “Fulfilling requests for electronic records.” The model rules are non-binding best practices to assist records requestors and agencies. On June 15, 2007, the Attorney General’s Office adopted the model rules for electronic records. Public Records Tour AG McKenna hosted a series of forums across the state in the summer and fall of 2005, in an effort to increase citizen involvement in government and gather input for the 2006 model rules. He visited 13 cities around the state and heard from local, county and state officials, members of the media and numerous citizen activists. 2005 Legislation Shortly after taking office in 2005, Attorney General McKenna proposed, and the Legislature and Governor approved, legislation to strengthen the Public Disclosure Act (HB 1758). The new public disclosure law: Finally, the law directed the Attorney General to adopt model rules on public records disclosure to assist both records requestors and government agencies. [Back to Top] |
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