Open Government Training

According to the Open Government Training Act, every member of the governing body of a public agency must complete training no later than 90 days after the date the member:

• Takes the oath of office, if required to take an oath, or
• Otherwise assumes his/her duties as a public official.

In addition, every member of the governing body must complete training every four years.

Training may be completed at an in-person session or remotely with technology, including internet-based training.

Related State Laws:

• Open Public Meetings Act (RCW 42.30)
• Public Records Act (RCW 42.56)
• Records Retention (RCW 40.14)

The City Council's General Government Committee amended the Rules of Procedure for Olympia's appointed committee, commission, and board members to apply the training requirements to all members of those groups.

All staff liaisons to the appointed groups and Council Committees are required to receive the training per administrative action of the City Manager.

Definitions

RCW 42.30 defines "public agency" and "governing body" as follows:

(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 rule-making 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.