Chapter 42.30 RCW 

Open public meetings act 

RCW Sections 

42.30.010 Legislative declaration. 

42.30.020 Definitions. 

42.30.030 Meetings declared open and public. 

42.30.040 Conditions to attendance not to be required. 

42.30.050 Interruptions -- Procedure. 

42.30.060 Ordinances, rules, resolutions, regulations, etc., adopted at public meetings 

-- Notice -- Secret voting prohibited. 

42.30.070 Times and places for meetings -- Emergencies -- Exception. 

42.30.075 Schedule of regular meetings -- Publication in state register -- Notice of 

change -- "Regular" meetings defined. 

42.30.080 Special meetings. 

42.30.090 Adjournments. 

42.30.100 Continuances. 

42.30.110 Executive sessions. 

42.30.120 Violations -- Personal liability -- Penalty -- Attorney fees and costs. 

42.30.130 Violations -- Mandamus or injunction. 

42.30.140 Chapter controlling -- Application. 

42.30.200 Governing body of recognized student association at college or university -- 

Chapter applicability to. 

42.30.210 Assistance by attorney general. 

42.30.900 Short title. 

42.30.910 Construction -- 1971 ex.s. c 250. 

42.30.920 Severability -- 1971 ex.s. c 250. 

Notes: 

Drug reimbursement policy recommendations: RCW 74.09.653. 

42.30.010 

Legislative declaration. 

The legislature finds and declares that all public commissions, boards, councils, committees, subcommittees, 

departments, divisions, offices, and all other public agencies of this state and subdivisions thereof exist to aid in the 

conduct of the people's business. It is the intent of this chapter that their actions be taken openly and that their 

deliberations be conducted openly. 
 The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating 

authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not 

good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments 

they have created. 

[1971 ex.s. c 250 § 1.] 

Notes:

 Reviser's note: Throughout this chapter, the phrases "this act" and "this 1971 

amendatory act" have been changed to "this chapter." "This act" [1971 ex.s. c 250] 

consists of this chapter, the amendment to RCW 34.04.025, and the repeal of RCW 

42.32.010 and 42.32.020. 

42.30.020 

Definitions. 

As used in this chapter unless the context indicates otherwise: 

 (1) "Public agency" means: 

 (a) Any state board, commission, committee, department, educational institution, or other state agency which is 

created by or pursuant to statute, other than courts and the legislature; 

 (b) Any county, city, school district, special purpose district, or other municipal corporation or political subdivision 

of the state of Washington; 

 (c) Any subagency of a public agency which is created by or pursuant to statute, ordinance, or other legislative 

act, including but not limited to planning commissions, library or park boards, commissions, and agencies; 

 (d) Any policy group whose membership includes representatives of publicly owned utilities formed by or pursuant 

to the laws of this state when meeting together as or on behalf of participants who have contracted for the output of 

generating plants being planned or built by an operating agency. 

 (2) "Governing body" means the multimember board, commission, committee, council, or other policy or rulemaking body of a public agency, or any committee thereof when the committee acts on behalf of the governing body, 

conducts hearings, or takes testimony or public comment. 

 (3) "Action" means the transaction of the official business of a public agency by a governing body including but not 

limited to receipt of public testimony, deliberations, discussions, considerations, reviews, evaluations, and final 

actions. "Final action" means a collective positive or negative decision, or an actual vote by a majority of the 

members of a governing body when sitting as a body or entity, upon a motion, proposal, resolution, order, or 

ordinance. 

 (4) "Meeting" means meetings at which action is taken. 

[1985 c 366 § 1; 1983 c 155 § 1; 1982 1st ex.s. c 43 § 10; 1971 ex.s. c 250 § 2.] 

Notes:

 Severability -- Savings -- 1982 1st ex.s. c 43: See notes following RCW 43.52.374. 
42.30.030 

Meetings declared open and public. 

All meetings of the governing body of a public agency shall be open and public and all persons shall be permitted to 

attend any meeting of the governing body of a public agency, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. 

[1971 ex.s. c 250 § 3.] 

42.30.040 

Conditions to attendance not to be required. 

A member of the public shall not be required, as a condition to attendance at a meeting of a governing body, to 

register his name and other information, to complete a questionnaire, or otherwise to fulfill any condition precedent to 

his attendance. 

[1971 ex.s. c 250 § 4.] 

42.30.050 

Interruptions — Procedure. 

In the event that any meeting is interrupted by a group or groups of persons so as to render the orderly conduct of 

such meeting unfeasible and order cannot be restored by the removal of individuals who are interrupting the meeting, 

the members of the governing body conducting the meeting may order the meeting room cleared and continue in 

session or may adjourn the meeting and reconvene at another location selected by majority vote of the members. In 

such a session, final disposition may be taken only on matters appearing on the agenda. Representatives of the 

press or other news media, except those participating in the disturbance, shall be allowed to attend any session held 

pursuant to this section. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the governing body from establishing a procedure for 

readmitting an individual or individuals not responsible for disturbing the orderly conduct of the meeting. 

[1971 ex.s. c 250 § 5.] 

42.30.060 

Ordinances, rules, resolutions, regulations, etc., adopted at public meetings — 

Notice — Secret voting prohibited. 

(1) No governing body of a public agency shall adopt any ordinance, resolution, rule, regulation, order, or directive, 

except in a meeting open to the public and then only at a meeting, the date of which is fixed by law or rule, or at a 

meeting of which notice has been given according to the provisions of this chapter. Any action taken at meetings 

failing to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall be null and void. 

 (2) No governing body of a public agency at any meeting required to be open to the public shall vote by secret 

ballot. Any vote taken in violation of this subsection shall be null and void, and shall be considered an "action" under 

this chapter. 

[1989 c 42 § 1; 1971 ex.s. c 250 § 6.] 
42.30.070 

Times and places for meetings — Emergencies — Exception. 

The governing body of a public agency shall provide the time for holding regular meetings by ordinance, resolution, 

bylaws, or by whatever other rule is required for the conduct of business by that body. Unless otherwise provided for 

in the act under which the public agency was formed, meetings of the governing body need not be held within the 

boundaries of the territory over which the public agency exercises jurisdiction. If at any time any regular meeting falls 

on a holiday, such regular meeting shall be held on the next business day. If, by reason of fire, flood, earthquake, or 

other emergency, there is a need for expedited action by a governing body to meet the emergency, the presiding 

officer of the governing body may provide for a meeting site other than the regular meeting site and the notice 

requirements of this chapter shall be suspended during such emergency. It shall not be a violation of the 

requirements of this chapter for a majority of the members of a governing body to travel together or gather for 

purposes other than a regular meeting or a special meeting as these terms are used in this chapter: PROVIDED, 

That they take no action as defined in this chapter. 

[1983 c 155 § 2; 1973 c 66 § 1; 1971 ex.s. c 250 § 7.] 

42.30.075 

Schedule of regular meetings — Publication in state register — Notice of change 

— "Regular" meetings defined. 

State agencies which hold regular meetings shall file with the code reviser a schedule of the time and place of such 

meetings on or before January of each year for publication in the Washington state register. Notice of any change 

from such meeting schedule shall be published in the state register for distribution at least twenty days prior to the 

rescheduled meeting date. 

 For the purposes of this section "regular" meetings shall mean recurring meetings held in accordance with a 

periodic schedule declared by statute or rule. 

[1977 ex.s. c 240 § 12.] 

Notes:

 Effective date -- Severability -- 1977 ex.s. c 240: See RCW 34.08.905 and 

34.08.910. 

Public meeting notices in state register: RCW 34.08.020. 

42.30.080 

Special meetings. 

A special meeting may be called at any time by the presiding officer of the governing body of a public agency or by a 

majority of the members of the governing body by delivering written notice personally, by mail, by fax, or by electronic 

mail to each member of the governing body; and to each local newspaper of general circulation and to each local 

radio or television station which has on file with the governing body a written request to be notified of such special 

meeting or of all special meetings. Such notice must be delivered personally, by mail, by fax, or by electronic mail at 

least twenty-four hours before the time of such meeting as specified in the notice. The call and notice shall specify the 
time and place of the special meeting and the business to be transacted. Final disposition shall not be taken on any 

other matter at such meetings by the governing body. Such written notice may be dispensed with as to any member 

who at or prior to the time the meeting convenes files with the clerk or secretary of the governing body a written 

waiver of notice. Such waiver may be given by telegram, by fax, or electronic mail. Such written notice may also be 

dispensed with as to any member who is actually present at the meeting at the time it convenes. The notices 

provided in this section may be dispensed with in the event a special meeting is called to deal with an emergency 

involving injury or damage to persons or property or the likelihood of such injury or damage, when time requirements 

of such notice would make notice impractical and increase the likelihood of such injury or damage. 

[2005 c 273 § 1; 1971 ex.s. c 250 § 8.] 

42.30.090 

Adjournments. 

The governing body of a public agency may adjourn any regular, adjourned regular, special or adjourned special 

meeting to a time and place specified in the order of adjournment. Less than a quorum may so adjourn from time to 

time. If all members are absent from any regular or adjourned regular meeting the clerk or secretary of the governing 

body may declare the meeting adjourned to a stated time and place. He shall cause a written notice of the 

adjournment to be given in the same manner as provided in RCW 42.30.080 for special meetings, unless such notice 

is waived as provided for special meetings. Whenever any meeting is adjourned a copy of the order or notice of 

adjournment shall be conspicuously posted immediately after the time of the adjournment on or near the door of the 

place where the regular, adjourned regular, special or adjourned special meeting was held. When a regular or 

adjourned regular meeting is adjourned as provided in this section, the resulting adjourned regular meeting is a 

regular meeting for all purposes. When an order of adjournment of any meeting fails to state the hour at which the 

adjourned meeting is to be held, it shall be held at the hour specified for regular meetings by ordinance, resolution, 

bylaw, or other rule. 

[1971 ex.s. c 250 § 9.] 

42.30.100 

Continuances. 

Any hearing being held, noticed, or ordered to be held by a governing body at any meeting may by order or notice of 

continuance be continued or recontinued to any subsequent meeting of the governing body in the same manner and 

to the same extent set forth in RCW 42.30.090 for the adjournment of meetings. 

[1971 ex.s. c 250 § 10.] 

42.30.110 

Executive sessions. 

(1) Nothing contained in this chapter may be construed to prevent a governing body from holding an executive 

session during a regular or special meeting: 

 (a) To consider matters affecting national security; 

 (b) To consider the selection of a site or the acquisition of real estate by lease or purchase when public knowledge 

regarding such consideration would cause a likelihood of increased price; 
 (c) To consider the minimum price at which real estate will be offered for sale or lease when public knowledge 

regarding such consideration would cause a likelihood of decreased price. However, final action selling or leasing 

public property shall be taken in a meeting open to the public; 

 (d) To review negotiations on the performance of publicly bid contracts when public knowledge regarding such 

consideration would cause a likelihood of increased costs; 

 (e) To consider, in the case of an export trading company, financial and commercial information supplied by 

private persons to the export trading company; 

 (f) To receive and evaluate complaints or charges brought against a public officer or employee. However, upon the 

request of such officer or employee, a public hearing or a meeting open to the public shall be conducted upon such 

complaint or charge; 

 (g) To evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment or to review the performance of a public 

employee. However, subject to RCW 42.30.140(4), discussion by a governing body of salaries, wages, and other 

conditions of employment to be generally applied within the agency shall occur in a meeting open to the public, and 

when a governing body elects to take final action hiring, setting the salary of an individual employee or class of 

employees, or discharging or disciplining an employee, that action shall be taken in a meeting open to the public; 

 (h) To evaluate the qualifications of a candidate for appointment to elective office. However, any interview of such 

candidate and final action appointing a candidate to elective office shall be in a meeting open to the public; 

 (i) To discuss with legal counsel representing the agency matters relating to agency enforcement actions, or to 

discuss with legal counsel representing the agency litigation or potential litigation to which the agency, the governing 

body, or a member acting in an official capacity is, or is likely to become, a party, when public knowledge regarding 

the discussion is likely to result in an adverse legal or financial consequence to the agency. 

 This subsection (1)(i) does not permit a governing body to hold an executive session solely because an attorney 

representing the agency is present. For purposes of this subsection (1)(i), "potential litigation" means matters 

protected by RPC 1.6 or RCW 5.60.060(2)(a) concerning: 

 (i) Litigation that has been specifically threatened to which the agency, the governing body, or a member acting in 

an official capacity is, or is likely to become, a party; 

 (ii) Litigation that the agency reasonably believes may be commenced by or against the agency, the governing 

body, or a member acting in an official capacity; or 

 (iii) Litigation or legal risks of a proposed action or current practice that the agency has identified when public 

discussion of the litigation or legal risks is likely to result in an adverse legal or financial consequence to the agency; 

 (j) To consider, in the case of the state library commission or its advisory bodies, western library network prices, 

products, equipment, and services, when such discussion would be likely to adversely affect the network's ability to 

conduct business in a competitive economic climate. However, final action on these matters shall be taken in a 

meeting open to the public; 

 (k) To consider, in the case of the state investment board, financial and commercial information when the 

information relates to the investment of public trust or retirement funds and when public knowledge regarding the 

discussion would result in loss to such funds or in private loss to the providers of this information; 

 (l) To consider proprietary or confidential nonpublished information related to the development, acquisition, or 

implementation of state purchased health care services as provided in RCW 41.05.026; 

 (m) To consider in the case of the life sciences discovery fund authority, the substance of grant applications and 

grant awards when public knowledge regarding the discussion would reasonably be expected to result in private loss 

to the providers of this information; 

 (n) To consider in the case of a health sciences and services authority, the substance of grant applications and 

grant awards when public knowledge regarding the discussion would reasonably be expected to result in private loss 

to the providers of this information; 
 (o) To consider in the case of innovate Washington, the substance of grant or loan applications and grant or loan 

awards if public knowledge regarding the discussion would reasonably be expected to result in private loss to the 

providers of this information. 

 (2) Before convening in executive session, the presiding officer of a governing body shall publicly announce the 

purpose for excluding the public from the meeting place, and the time when the executive session will be concluded. 

The executive session may be extended to a stated later time by announcement of the presiding officer. 

[2011 1st sp.s. c 14 § 14; 2010 1st sp.s. c 33 § 5; 2005 c 424 § 13; 2003 c 277 § 1; 2001 c 216 § 1; 1989 c 238 § 2; 1987 c 389 § 3; 1986 c 

276 § 8; 1985 c 366 § 2; 1983 c 155 § 3; 1979 c 42 § 1; 1973 c 66 § 2; 1971 ex.s. c 250 § 11.] 

Notes:

 Effective date -- 2011 1st sp.s. c 14: See RCW 43.333.901. 

 Captions not law -- Liberal construction -- Severability -- Effective dates -- 2005 

c 424: See RCW 43.350.900 through 43.350.903. 

 Severability -- Effective date -- 1987 c 389: See notes following RCW 41.06.070. 

 Severability -- 1986 c 276: See RCW 53.31.901. 

42.30.120 

Violations — Personal liability — Penalty — Attorney fees and costs. 

(1) Each member of the governing body who attends a meeting of such governing body where action is taken in 

violation of any provision of this chapter applicable to him, with knowledge of the fact that the meeting is in violation 

thereof, shall be subject to personal liability in the form of a civil penalty in the amount of one hundred dollars. The 

civil penalty shall be assessed by a judge of the superior court and an action to enforce this penalty may be brought 

by any person. A violation of this chapter does not constitute a crime and assessment of the civil penalty by a judge 

shall not give rise to any disability or legal disadvantage based on conviction of a criminal offense. 

 (2) Any person who prevails against a public agency in any action in the courts for a violation of this chapter shall 

be awarded all costs, including reasonable attorney fees, incurred in connection with such legal action. Pursuant to 

RCW 4.84.185, any public agency who prevails in any action in the courts for a violation of this chapter may be 

awarded reasonable expenses and attorney fees upon final judgment and written findings by the trial judge that the 

action was frivolous and advanced without reasonable cause. 

[1985 c 69 § 1; 1973 c 66 § 3; 1971 ex.s. c 250 § 12.] 

42.30.130 

Violations — Mandamus or injunction. 

Any person may commence an action either by mandamus or injunction for the purpose of stopping violations or 

preventing threatened violations of this chapter by members of a governing body. 

[1971 ex.s. c 250 § 13.] 
42.30.140 

Chapter controlling — Application. 

If any provision of this chapter conflicts with the provisions of any other statute, the provisions of this chapter shall 

control: PROVIDED, That this chapter shall not apply to: 

 (1) The proceedings concerned with the formal issuance of an order granting, suspending, revoking, or denying 

any license, permit, or certificate to engage in any business, occupation, or profession or to any disciplinary 

proceedings involving a member of such business, occupation, or profession, or to receive a license for a sports 

activity or to operate any mechanical device or motor vehicle where a license or registration is necessary; or 

 (2) That portion of a meeting of a quasi-judicial body which relates to a quasi-judicial matter between named 

parties as distinguished from a matter having general effect on the public or on a class or group; or 

 (3) Matters governed by chapter 34.05 RCW, the Administrative Procedure Act; or 

 (4)(a) Collective bargaining sessions with employee organizations, including contract negotiations, grievance 

meetings, and discussions relating to the interpretation or application of a labor agreement; or (b) that portion of a 

meeting during which the governing body is planning or adopting the strategy or position to be taken by the governing 

body during the course of any collective bargaining, professional negotiations, or grievance or mediation proceedings, 

or reviewing the proposals made in the negotiations or proceedings while in progress. 

[1990 c 98 § 1; 1989 c 175 § 94; 1973 c 66 § 4; 1971 ex.s. c 250 § 14.] 

Notes:

 Effective date -- 1989 c 175: See note following RCW 34.05.010. 

Drug reimbursement policy recommendations: RCW 74.09.653. 

Mediation testimony competency: RCW 5.60.070 and 5.60.072. 

42.30.200 

Governing body of recognized student association at college or university — 

Chapter applicability to. 

The multimember student board which is the governing body of the recognized student association at a given campus 

of a public institution of higher education is hereby declared to be subject to the provisions of the open public 

meetings act as contained in this chapter, as now or hereafter amended. For the purposes of this section, 

"recognized student association" shall mean any body at any of the state's colleges and universities which selects 

officers through a process approved by the student body and which represents the interests of students. Any such 

body so selected shall be recognized by and registered with the respective boards of trustees and regents of the 

state's colleges and universities: PROVIDED, That there be no more than one such association representing 

undergraduate students, no more than one such association representing graduate students, and no more than one 

such association representing each group of professional students so recognized and registered at any of the state's 

colleges or universities. 

[1980 c 49 § 1.] 
42.30.210 

Assistance by attorney general. 

The attorney general's office may provide information, technical assistance, and training on the provisions of this 

chapter. 

[2001 c 216 § 2.] 

42.30.900 

Short title. 

This chapter may be cited as the "Open Public Meetings Act of 1971". 

[1971 ex.s. c 250 § 16.] 

42.30.910 

Construction — 1971 ex.s. c 250. 

The purposes of this chapter are hereby declared remedial and shall be liberally construed. 

[1971 ex.s. c 250 § 18.] 

42.30.920 

Severability — 1971 ex.s. c 250. 

If any provision of this act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or 

the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected. 

[1971 ex.s. c 250 § 19.]