Open Public Meetings Act
This page provides links to MRSC's resources related to the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) in Washington State.
New legislation:
- Effective July 23, 2023, HB 1645 allows a county legislative authority to hold one regular meeting per month in a city within the county that has a larger population than the county seat, and one meeting per quarter at any other location within the county, as long as no more than one total meeting per month is held at an alternative location.
- Effective June 30, 2024, EHB 1210 requires all school district board meetings to be audio recorded, subject to exceptions for executive sessions and emergencies, and kept for at least one year.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Open Public Meetings Act FAQs – Browse answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) from local governments regarding the Open Public Meetings Act.
- Executive Session FAQs – Browse answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) from local governments regarding executive sessions as allowed by the Open Public Meetings Act.
Overview
- Open Public Meetings Act Basics – Basic OPMA overview
- Executive Session Basics – Basic overview of executive sessions as allowed by the OPMA
- OPMA Court Decisions and AG Opinions – Key court decisions and attorney general opinions regarding OPMA
Publications
- Open Public Meetings Act publication – Downloadable publication offers a detailed look at OPMA, including who is subject to OPMA, procedural requirements, executive sessions, exemptions, penalties, and more
Practice Tips and Checklists
- OPMA and PRA Practice Tips and Checklists – Helpful practice tips and short checklists to provide practical guidance
Recent Blog Posts
- Recent blog posts about OPMA – Articles written by MRSC staff and contributors about specific aspects of OPMA, including executive sessions, new legislation, and court decisions. Articles are listed in reverse chronological order, with the most recent first.
Training Opportunities
State law requires local elected officials and public records officers to complete open government training no later than 90 days after taking the oath of office or assuming their duties, with a refresher course at least every four years
MRSC and our partner organizations provide training opportunities that can help local officials fulfill these requirements.
PRA and OPMA E-Learning for City/Town Elected Officials
MRSC partners with the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) to produce two free e-learning courses for city and town councilmembers and mayors, one dealing with the Public Records Act (40 minutes) and the other with the Open Public Meetings Act (45 minutes). These courses can help fulfill the Open Government Trainings Act requirements.
After completing each training, make sure to download your certificate of completion for documentation purposes.
Other Training Opportunities
- Upcoming Trainings – View other upcoming open government trainings and workshops
- On-Demand Webinars – See section on Open Government (PRA and OPMA)
