SB 6000 — OPMA/natural disasters

Summary

Concerning gatherings of a majority of members of a governing body and action taken by a governing body during a state or federally declared emergency in response to a natural disaster.

Bill Text

Compared against the Revised Code of Washington as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends 2 section(s) of the Revised Code of Washington: RCW 42.30.070; RCW 42.30.230.

• RCW 42.30.070

  as (1) hol eve . U cy in cis day (2) due to a declared emergency, and the notice requirements of this chapter shall be suspended during such emergency. (3) During a state or federally declared emergency in response to a natural disaster, it shall not be a violation of the requirements of this chapter for a majority of the members of a governing body to attend briefings held by county, state, or federal agencies responding to the natural disaster; to conduct visual inspections of damage from the natural disaster by boat, plane, or other vehicle; or to hold or attend press conferences related to the natural disaster: PROVIDED, That they take no final action as defined in this chapter. (4)

  amended

• RCW 42.30.230

  means of remote access that does not require any additional cost for access to the program. The public agency may also allow the other electronic means of remote access. (3) No action may be taken at a remote meeting or a meeting at which the physical attendance by some or all members of the public is limited due to a declared emergency if the public agency has not provided an option for the public to listen to proceedings pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, except for an executive session as authorized in this chapter or as authorized in subsection (7) of this section. (4) Notice of a remote meeting without a physical location or a meeting at which the physical attendance by some or all members of the public is limited due to a declared emergency must be provided in accordance with this chapter and must include instructions on how the public may listen live to proceedings and on how the public may access any other electronic means of remote access offered by the public agency. (5) A remote meeting or a meeting at which the physical attendance by some or all members of the public is limited due to a declared emergency that is held under the provisions of this section shall be considered open and public in compliance with the requirements of this chapter. Nothing in this section alters the ability of public agencies to take action in response to an emergency as provided for in RCW 42.30.070, or to have members of a governing body participate in a meeting remotely with no declared emergency. (6) Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, any governing body of a public agency which held some of its regular meetings remotely prior to March 1, 2020, may continue to hold some of its regular meetings remotely with no declared emergency so long as the public agency provides an option for the public to listen to the proceedings pursuant to subsection (2) of this section. (7) During a state or federally declared emergency in response to a natural disaster, a governing body of a local government located within the area of the declared emergency may take action on items directly related to the declared emergency at a remote meeting or a meeting at which the physical attendance by some or all members of the public is limited due to a declared emergency including, but not limited to: (a) Authorizing emergency measures; (b) Approving emergency ordinances; (c) Approving spending or contracts to manage disaster response or recovery; or (d) Approving agreements with state or federal agencies to manage disaster response or recovery. --- END ---

  amended

Action History

1. January 12, 2026

   First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.

Sponsors

• (Wagoner) · Primary

Subjects