OLYMPIA, WA – Washington Attorney General Nick Brown has announced proposed changes to the state’s model rules under the Public Records Act, aimed at strengthening government transparency and responsiveness.

The announcement follows a rulemaking petition submitted last year by several news organizations citing extensive delays in obtaining public records. The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) worked with media representatives, open government advocates, and local governments to develop draft rules that emphasize timely access to records.

Under the proposal, agencies would be encouraged to sort requests into simple and complex categories, provide specific records at the initial five-day response when possible, and ensure records are reasonably believed exempt before notifying third parties. The rules also suggest that agencies improve the accessibility of records for search and production and issue closure letters to clarify when the response process has ended.

A public hearing on the proposed rules is scheduled for November 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the John A. Cherberg Building in Olympia.

The Public Records Act was first adopted by Washington voters in 1972 to ensure public access to government records. The AGO’s model rules serve as guidance for agencies across the state and can be adopted in full or in part.

More information is available on the Attorney General’s Office website.