skip navigation
MRSC logo

Have a Research Question?

Ask MRSC

Have a Research Question?

Ask MRSC

MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for July 2024

Concept of use of Artificial Intelligence for work

Open the Pod Bay Doors: Navigating the Intersection of Public Records and Generative AI

July 29, 2024  by  Sarah Doar
Category:  Information Technology ,  Public Records Act ,  Artificial Intelligence

Local government employees and elected officials are increasingly exploring the use of generative AI in their day-to-day duties. The results will likely be treated as public records, but what about prompts people use to generate that result?

Read more

MRSC logo with 90th anniversary language

MRSC's 90th Anniversary Celebration: How Local Governments, Partners Helped MRSC Through Challenging Times

July 24, 2024  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  MRSC News and Updates

MRSC is celebrating 90 years of providing trusted guidance to Washington local governments, but not without encountering a few bumps along the way. Thanks to the dogged support of local governments and institutional partners, we've weathered these bumps and come out stronger. 

Read more

Aerial view of rural property showing graph of increasing dollar value

The Sheetz Decision: Agencies May Now Have To Show Their Work on Impact Fees

July 22, 2024  by  Heidi Greenwood ,  Nick Morton
Category:  Guest Author ,  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Impact Fees

Under a new U.S. Supreme Court ruling, an agency may have to show how its impact fee calculations are related to land use interests and proportional to the impact of that development. (This blog updates and replaces one originally published in June.)

Read more

MRSC Welcomes Leonard Bauer as a Planning Consultant

July 17, 2024  by  Leonard Bauer
Category:  MRSC News and Updates

His college stints made him both a Cougar and a Duck at different times, but don’t let that stop you from reaching out to our newest planning consultant, Leonard Bauer, for guidance on topics ranging from the GMA to community engagement, missing middle housing, and much more.

Read more

Camping Revisited: U.S. Supreme Court Changes the Landscape of Penalizing Public Sleeping

July 15, 2024  by  Harry Boesche
Category:  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Homelessness

The U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson gives local governments a greater ability to enact and enforce criminal penalties for acts like public camping or sleeping, even in localities where limited local shelter space contributes to these acts.

Read more

three construction workers looking at a blueprint

Introducing MRSC’s New Small Works Roster Manual!

July 10, 2024  by  Steve Hawley
Category:  MRSC News and Updates ,  Purchasing and Contracting

Starting July 1, there are new laws for small works roster (construction) contracts under $350,000, including an option to “direct contract” under $150,000. We’ve published new guidance to explain the requirements, and public agencies will need to adopt new procedures.

Read more

Woman gesturing 'no' to her colleague

The Distinction between ‘Legal’ and ‘Ethical’ Behavior

July 9, 2024  by  Steve Gross
Category:  Ethics and Conflicts of Interest

Government officials and staff are scrutinized more closely than the general public. The public expects them to act both legally and ethically. What is the difference and how can agencies provide (and enforce) clear expectations?

Read more