Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB2661: Public records task force
Status: In committee, February 19, 2026
Establishing the legislative task force on public records act modernization consisting of eight voting members and four nonvoting legislators.
What the bill says
An act Relating to establishing the legislative task force on public records act modernization consisting of eight voting members and four nonvoting legislators; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date. NEW SECTION.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to establishing the legislative task force on public records act modernization consisting of eight voting members and four nonvoting legislators; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds the public records act was enacted as part of a voter initiative and is the cornerstone of transparency and accountability in state and local government. The legislature reaffirms that broad public access to government records strengthens accountability, promotes civic engagement, and fosters confidence in public institutions. The legislature further finds that misuse of the public records act for frivolous, retaliatory, or harassing purposes strains limited public resources, especially for school districts, delays access to records for individuals who use the public records request process for legitimate purposes, and does not advance the public interest in governmental transparency. The legislature therefore finds that it is necessary to examine ways to improve the functionality of the public records act that will increase efficiency, reduce the financial burden on school districts, maintain transparency in government, and deter abuse of the public records request process. NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The joint legislative audit and review committee must (b) Strategies to deter frivolous, retaliatory, and harassing public records requests received by school districts such as preventing anonymous requests and eliminating financial motivation that results in bad …
Sponsors
- Skyler Rude (R) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : House Rules "X" file.
- : Returned to Rules Committee for second reading.
- : Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
- : Referred to Rules 2 Review.
- : SGOV - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
- : Executive action taken in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 1:30 PM.
- : Public hearing in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 1:30 PM.
- : First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations.
Votes
- House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (February 4, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: RECORDS
Common questions
- What is HB2661?
- HB2661 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Public records task force.
- What does HB2661 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to establishing the legislative task force on public records act modernization consisting of eight voting members and four nonvoting legislators; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of HB2661?
- In committee as of February 19, 2026. Latest action: House Rules "X" file. (February 19, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2661?
- Skyler Rude (R).
- Where is the official record for HB2661?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2661&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.