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Kretz's 'open public meetings'
bill awaits governor's signature
Constituent's legislation to
ensure public can weigh-in at state agency meetings passes House, Senate
unanimously
A
measure that would allow citizens the opportunity to publicly comment at
state agency meetings around the state is on its way to the governor's
office for her consideration to be signed into law.
House Bill 1552 was sponsored by
Rep. Joel Kretz, who had the issue brought to him by Colville constituents.
"It's
a big victory for those of us who want an open and transparent
government," said Kretz, R-Wauconda. "This is how our legislative
process is supposed to work - the people see a need and bring it forward
to be addressed. I'm proud to have district citizens and media folks
take part in making sure our state and local governments run efficiently
and serve the people in meaningful ways."
A dust-up started last year when a state agency advertised a public
meeting in Colville to discuss wildlife issues. To the
surprise of attendees, the agency refused
to allow public testimony on the impacts of the agency policies at the
meeting. That's when a frustrated constituent along with the local
newspaper, the Statesman-Examiner,
contacted Kretz.
House Bill 1552, if signed into law, would require state agencies to accept individual oral testimony
in the presence of all other attendees at public meetings. This would
apply to meetings held under the Open Public Meetings Act where a state
agency is adopting an ordinance, resolution,
rule, order or directive.
"I think state agencies will actually like the two-way dialog this
requirement will create," Kretz explained. "Often times, a state agency
representative may have created a rule or regulation in a different part
of the state and may not understand the needs of communities affected by
the rule. What fits one part of the state doesn't always fit when
applied in other regions. This simply ensures the perspectives of local
residents, who have to live under the regulations, are heard and their
ideas are taken
into consideration."
The goal, Kretz said, is to foster a working relationship between the
state agency and residents who want the best for their communities.
"I really owe the Statesman-Examiner and the local residents a great
deal of thanks for working to make government more responsive to the
needs of our district and others that will benefit from this
legislation," Kretz said.
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For more information, contact:
Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7252
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