The state's Open Public Meetings Act (RCW
42.30) applies to the City Council, all quasi-judicial
bodies, and all standing, special or advisory boards,
commissions, committees or subcommittees of, or appointed
by the City Council with some limited exceptions.
All meetings in which the majority of the boards,
commission, and committees of, or appointed by, the
City Council must be open to the public, except in
the special instances as provided in RCW
42.30.110.
A meeting takes place when a quorum
(a majority of the total number of members) is present
and information concerning City business is received,
discussed, and/or acted upon. In order to be valid,
ordinances, resolutions, rules, regulations, orders,
and directives must be adopted at public meetings.
The Act contains specific provisions regarding: regular
and special meetings; executive sessions; types of
notice that must be given for meetings; conduct
of meetings; and penalties and remedies for violation
of the Act.
For an in-depth discussion of the Act, see the MRSC publication
entitled The
Open Public Meetings Act - How it Applies to Washington
Cities, Counties, and Special Purpose Districts updated
in May 2008.
MRSC also has a publication dealing
with basic legal guidelines for municipal officials
called Knowing
the Territory - Basic Legal Guidelines for Washington
City, County, and Special Purpose District Officials that
discusses the purpose of the Open Public Meetings Act
and its application to Washington cities, counties,
and special purpose districts.
Page last modified:
February 9, 2012
