skip navigation

Research Tools

Have a Question? Ask MRSC!

Eligible government agencies can use our free Ask MRSC service.

With one call or click you can get a personalized answer from one of our trusted attorneys, or policy consultants!

Ask MRSC

Our Tools

Ask MRSC Archives

City & County Websites Search

City & Town Profiles

County Profiles

Local Ballot Measure Database

Sample Document Library

Legal Research

Find Your Contracting Requirements

Utility Liens and Shut-offs

City Codes

County Codes

RCW, WAC, and Court Decisions
Explore Topics

Browse by Topic Area

Business Licensing & Regulation

Climate & Environment

Code Enforcement & Nuisances

Community Engagement

Court Decisions & AG Opinions

Economic Development

Elected & Appointed Officials

Elections

Finance & Budgeting

Government Organization

Housing & Homelessness

Infrastructure & Public Facilities

Parks & Recreation

Personnel & HR

Planning & Growth Management

Procurement & Public Works

Public Meetings & OPMA

Public Records & PRA

Public Safety

Utilities & Telecommunications

VIEW ALL TOPIC PAGES A-Z
Stay Informed

Recent Blog Posts

Using "Why" to Keep Your Policies and Procedures Relevant
April 9 2024

U.S. Supreme Court Changes Law on Government First Amendment Liability for Social Media Activities
April 8 2024

The Importance of Public Space to Downtown Revitalization
April 3 2024

VIEW MORE BLOG POSTS

Information You Need

MRSC E-Newsletters

MRSC Insight Blog

MRSC Print Newsletter

Local Governments In The News

Landlord/Seller Disclosure Requirements
Training

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Trainings – Attend our live webinars, virtual workshops, and in-person trainings to learn about key local government issues!

Digging Into Public Works – In-person regional forums and training resources for public works staff and local contractors

On-Demand

On-Demand Webinars – Watch pre-recorded versions of our recent webinars, at your own convenience.

PRA/OPMA E-Learning Courses – Free video courses for city/town elected officials on the Public Records Act (PRA) and Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA).
Publications

View/Download Publications

2024 Budget Suggestions

Annexation by Cities and Towns

City Bidding Book

Contracting for Services

County Bidding Book

County Commissioner Guide

Getting Into Office

Guidance for Accessory Dwelling Units

Homelessness and Housing Toolkit for Cities

Knowing the Territory

Local Ordinances

Mayor & Councilmember Handbook

Open Public Meetings Act

Public Records Act

Revenue Guide for Cities

Revenue Guide for Counties

VIEW MORE PUBLICATIONS
About Us

What We Do

About MRSC – Learn about MRSC's mission and history.

MRSC Services – Learn more about the many services MRSC provides for local government staff and officials.

Procurement Services (mrscrosters.org)

MRSC Rosters – Connect with businesses for small public works contracts, purchases, services, and consultants

MRSC Electronic Bidding – Reduce administrative effort and move your bidding processes online, including sealed bids

Who We Are

Staff Directory – Learn more about our staff members or email them directly.

Join Our Team – See our current job opportunities and learn about our guiding values and benefits.

Board of Directors – See our current board membership.

Contact Us – Send us your comments, submit media requests, let us know about broken links, and more.

About Our Blog Our Authors

MRSC Insight Blog

Posts for Law Enforcement Records Disclosure

New Recording and Disclosure Requirements for Certain Law Enforcement Interrogations

March 7, 2022 by Steve Gross
Category: Law Enforcement Records Disclosure

Beginning this year, law enforcement agencies in Washington now must meet new recording requirements for certain interrogations as well as new retention requirements for digital records.

Police Records: My Take on Some of the Tricky Disclosure Questions

June 17, 2016 by Flannary Collins
Category: Law Enforcement Records Disclosure

This blog provides answers to a number of interesting questions on disclosure of police records.

New PRA Exemption for Body Camera Recordings

April 27, 2016 by Flannary Collins
Category: Law Enforcement Records Disclosure

Thanks to EHB 2362, there’s a new Public Records Act (PRA) exemption for body camera recordings. However, the new exemption only applies to agencies with body camera programs in effect as of June 9, 2016, so act soon if your agency wants to take advantage of it.

Police Body Cameras: Privacy Implications and Other Considerations

December 3, 2014 by Flannary Collins
Category: Law Enforcement Records Disclosure

There’s been quite a bit of buzz recently around the issue of police body cameras – cameras attached to a police officer’s uniform or cap that record conversations and actions of people within the camera’s purview. In addition to the national focus on police body cameras resulting from the shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri – for which there was no video recording – a number of jurisdictions in this state, including Spokane and Seattle, are looking at implementing or have implemented police body camera programs. And the Washington State Attorney General just opined on privacy law considerations regarding their use.

LOAD MORE

MoreHide

Blog Archives