skip navigation
MRSC logo

Have a Research Question?

Ask MRSC

Have a Research Question?

Ask MRSC
Share this:


MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for July 2017

New Options for Creating Fire and Metro Park Districts

New Options for Creating Fire and Metro Park Districts

July 31, 2017  by  Lynn Nordby
Category:  New Legislation and Regulations ,  Special Districts

The 2017 legislative session yielded new options for establishing a fire and/or metro park district. Consultant Lynn Nordby looks at these changes. 

Read more

New Legislation Impacts Purchasing, Contracting

New Legislation Impacts Purchasing, Contracting

July 26, 2017  by  Judy Isaac
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Purchasing and contracting procedures for Washington local governments changed on July 23, 2017.  Public Works Consultant Judy Isaac reviews the changes. 

Read more

New Public Records Data Reporting Requirement

New Public Records Data Reporting Requirement

July 24, 2017  by  Jim Doherty
Category:  Public Records Act ,  New Legislation and Regulations

2017 was a big year for the PRA, with the legislature making several high-profile changes to the law. In this blog post, MRSC Legal Manager Jim Doherty discusses one change that may come as a surprise to many agencies: the new public records data reporting requirement. 

Read more

New Open Government Training Requirements for Public Records Officers

New Open Government Training Requirements for Public Records Officers

July 21, 2017  by  Brooke Frickleton
Category:  Guest Author ,  Public Records Act ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Earlier this year, the legislature made a number of changes to the Public Records Act (PRA). One key update is that the PRA and records retention training currently required for PROs must now include training on electronic documents and improving technology information systems. In this blog post, MRSC Legal Extern Brooke Frickleton outlines this new requirement.

Read more

Building for Bicycles: Safe Roads & Recreational Use Immunity

Building for Bicycles: Safe Roads & Recreational Use Immunity

July 19, 2017  by  Nick Quijas
Category:  Guest Author ,  Cycling and Walking

Here in Washington, bicycles are being increasingly recognized and appreciated as a legitimate and important transportation option. In this blog post, MRSC Legal Intern Nick Quijas explores some of the ways in which local governments will be affected by increasing growth in bike transportation. 

Read more

Critical Areas: The Importance (and Difficulty) of Knowing Where They Are

Critical Areas: The Importance (and Difficulty) of Knowing Where They Are

July 18, 2017  by  Greg Wessel
Category:  Guest Author ,  Critical Areas

Regulated critical areas vary from place to place but in some cases, a jurisdiction’s knowledge of its critical areas may be based on outdated or incomplete information. Guest author Greg Wessel looks at some steps jurisdictions can take to address this problem. 

Read more

New Law on Restraining Dogs

New Law on Restraining Dogs

July 10, 2017  by  Paul Sullivan
Category:  Animal Control ,  New Legislation and Regulations

In this blog post, Paul Sullivan provides an overview of a new law adopted by the legislature that regulates the tethering of dogs. The new law goes into effect on July 23, 2017. 

Read more

When is a Development Application Ready for Review?

When is a Development Application Ready for Review?

July 6, 2017  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Development Regulations and Zoning

Once a jurisdiction determines that a planning-related application is complete it has 120-days to  make a decision on that proposal. But what makes an application complete? MRSC Planning Consultant Steve Butler reviews the options. 

Read more