News and Insights
June 2022 Knowing the Waters – OPMA Amendments
By Frank Chmelik Following up on last month’s topic of “public comment” at commission meetings, this month we look at the recent changes to the Open Public Meetings Act which became effective June 9, 2022. In the last session, the Legislature passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1329 (“ESHB 1329”) [...]
May 2022 Knowing the Waters – “Public Comment” at Commission Meetings
By Frank Chmelik of Chmelik Sitkin & Davis, P.S. The topic for this month is “public comment” at commission meetings. Commissioner Pam Petranek of the Port of Port Townsend and I were talking about this issue, and it is worthy of discussion here. We start with the Open Public [...]
April 2022 Knowing the Waters – With Guest Writer WPPA Senior Director of Trade & Transportation Chris Herman
By Frank Chmelik of Chmelik Sitkin & Davis, P.S. - WPPA Counsel and Chris Herman - Senior Director, Trade & Transportation - WPPA This month we look at RCW 47.06A.080, law affecting ports with freight-focused transportation projects. I must say it is a new statute to me and one [...]
OPMA and PRA COVID-19 Requirements Rescinded Effective June 1, 2022
Tired of reminding speakers that they are trying to talk while “on mute” during a public meeting? For the past two years, there have been several emergency proclamations issued by Governor Inslee under the Proclamation 20-28 series mandating certain requirements for municipal agencies subject to the Open Public Meetings [...]
Open Public Meeting Act – An Update
The Governor signed HB 1329 into law on March 24, 2022, and most of the law took effect immediately. The law revises the Open Public Meetings Act, RCW 42.30. The more important revisions to the OPMA include the following: Recordings. Agencies are encouraged to stream meetings or to have [...]
Knowing the Waters – Interlocal Cooperation Agreements
By Frank Chmelik With COVID-19 case counts beginning to subside, more businesses and governments are starting to operate as usual. This return to “normal” activity has inspired this month’s column on “interlocal cooperation agreements.” Washington law (chapter 39.34 RCW) allows governments to use this powerful tool to join to [...]
June 2022 Knowing the Waters – OPMA Amendments
By Frank Chmelik Following up on last month’s topic of “public comment” at commission meetings, this month we look at the recent changes to the Open Public Meetings Act which became effective June 9, 2022. In the last session, the Legislature passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1329 (“ESHB 1329”) [...]
May 2022 Knowing the Waters – “Public Comment” at Commission Meetings
By Frank Chmelik of Chmelik Sitkin & Davis, P.S. The topic for this month is “public comment” at commission meetings. Commissioner Pam Petranek of the Port of Port Townsend and I were talking about this issue, and it is worthy of discussion here. We start with the Open Public [...]
April 2022 Knowing the Waters – With Guest Writer WPPA Senior Director of Trade & Transportation Chris Herman
By Frank Chmelik of Chmelik Sitkin & Davis, P.S. - WPPA Counsel and Chris Herman - Senior Director, Trade & Transportation - WPPA This month we look at RCW 47.06A.080, law affecting ports with freight-focused transportation projects. I must say it is a new statute to me and one [...]
OPMA and PRA COVID-19 Requirements Rescinded Effective June 1, 2022
Tired of reminding speakers that they are trying to talk while “on mute” during a public meeting? For the past two years, there have been several emergency proclamations issued by Governor Inslee under the Proclamation 20-28 series mandating certain requirements for municipal agencies subject to the Open Public Meetings [...]
Knowing the Waters – Interlocal Cooperation Agreements
By Frank Chmelik With COVID-19 case counts beginning to subside, more businesses and governments are starting to operate as usual. This return to “normal” activity has inspired this month’s column on “interlocal cooperation agreements.” Washington law (chapter 39.34 RCW) allows governments to use this powerful tool to join to [...]
Updated Mask Requirements for Large Outdoor Events
On Monday, September 13, 2021, the State Secretary of Health has issued Order 20-03.5 which adds the requirement for people to wear face coverings when at outdoor events or gatherings attended by 500 or more people regardless of vaccination status. The Department of Health also strongly recommends that everyone [...]