MRSC Insight Blog

About Our Blog Our Authors Our Advisors

MRSC Insight Blog

Recent Posts

Possession and Carrying of Firearms in Washington State: What’s Allowed?

July 1, 2020 by Flannary Collins
Category: Licensing and Regulation

This blog provides a general overview of firearm regulation in Washington State.

COVID-19 Facial Coverings — What’s Required?

June 30, 2020 by Steve Gross
Category: COVID-19

This blog post summarizes the current rules related to wearing face masks in public, as outlined in Order 20-03, Proclamation 20-24.4, and the Safe Start Guide.

2020 Legislative Update on Firearms Regulations

June 29, 2020 by Steve Gross
Category: New Legislation and Regulations

This post summarizes recent legislation related to firearms regulation in Washington State.

2020 Legislative Outcomes for Planning and Land Use-Related Issues

June 25, 2020 by Steve Butler
Category: Land Use Administration , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post summarizes major planning/land use-related bills that were passed during the 2020 Washington State legislative session.

CARES Act Funds Can Be Used for Small Business Grants

June 24, 2020 by Toni Nelson
Category: COVID-19

This blog reviews how CARES Act funds can be used to support local, small business assistance programs.

New Regulations for the Use of Facial Recognition Technology

June 22, 2020 by Flannary Collins
Category: Administrative and Elected Officials , New Legislation and Regulations , Administrative and Elected Officials-County

The purpose of this blog post is to highlight the requirements in ESSB 6280, Washington State's new law regulating the use of facial technology software.

Quickly Switching Over to an Online Permitting/Plan Review System

June 18, 2020 by Steve Butler
Category: Land Use Administration , COVID-19

This blog post highlights local planning/building departments that quickly converted from a traditional permitting/plan review process to an online system.

Elections – What’s New in 2020

June 18, 2020 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Elections , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post looks at election-related legislation passed during the Washington State Legislature's 2020 Regular Session.

Proclamation 20-23.4 Directs Utilities to Develop Customer Support Programs

June 17, 2020 by Toni Nelson
Category: Utilities - Billing and Collection , COVID-19

This blog post reviews Governor Jay Inslee's recent proclamation that directs public utility service providers to create support programs for their residential customers.

2020 Legislative Outcomes for Procurement and Contracting

June 15, 2020 by Judy Isaac
Category: Purchasing and Contracting , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post provides an overview of several bills from the 2020 legislative session that impact local government purchasing and contracting.

New Legislation Expands Washington’s Anti-Discrimination Law

June 11, 2020 by Sarah Doar
Category: Recruitment and Hiring , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post reviews new laws, passed during the 2020 legislative session, that expand the state's anti-discrimination law to prohibit racial discrimination on the basis of hair and discrimination on the basis of citizenship status.

Disaster Zone: Look Beyond Your County/City/District

June 8, 2020 by Eric Holdeman
Category: Emergency Management

In this blog post, guest author Eric Holdeman argues that partnerships with neighboring jurisdictions can help in disaster preparedness.

New Privacy in Public Employment

June 4, 2020 by Sarah Doar
Category: Public Records Act

This blog post reviews SSHB 1888, which creates new public records exemptions for certain information in personnel and public employment records and goes into effect on June 11.

Creative Use of Street ROW During the COVID-19 Pandemic

June 3, 2020 by Steve Butler
Category: Streets and Sidewalks , COVID-19

This blog post reviews how local governments can allow temporary use of the public ROW for business activity during the pandemic.

COVID-19: Where Things Stand as of June 1

June 2, 2020 by Steve Gross
Category: Open Public Meetings Act , Public Records Act , COVID-19

This blog post provides an update on recent legislative actions taken in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Washington, including summaries of new developments and resources.

Disaster Zone: Kick-Starting Economic Recovery

June 1, 2020 by Eric Holdeman
Category: Planning , COVID-19

This blog post provides advice as to how local governments can kick-start their economies.

Countering Racial Bias and Harassment Related to the COVID-19 Outbreak

May 29, 2020 by Byron Katsuyama
Category: Inclusive Communities , COVID-19

This blog post looks at how agencies in Washington State can counter racial bias and harassment that has arisen due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Planning for the Expiration of the State's PRA and OPMA Waivers

May 28, 2020 by Steve Gross
Category: Open Public Meetings Act , Public Records Act , COVID-19

This blog provides agencies with options for planning for their upcoming meetings, and it discusses how the eventual expiration of the state's OPMA and the PRA waivers may affect agency operations.

New Legislation on Temporary Homeless Encampments

May 26, 2020 by Oskar Rey
Category: New Legislation and Regulations , Homelessness

ESHB 1754 takes effect on June 11, 2020, and imposes additional conditions on cities and counties when regulating religious organizations hosting the homeless.

Cities, Towns, Counties to Receive CARES Act Funds

May 19, 2020 by Toni Nelson
Category: Revenues , COVID-19

The State of Washington has now shared a portion of its CARES Act funding with certain cities, towns, and counties in the form of grants that reimburse expenses incurred. This blog post provides an overview of what an agency can expect in applying for these grants.