§18.2 Policies of RCW 42.56.550(4)

• Jurisdiction: Washington

§18.2 POLICIES OF RCW 42.56.550(4)

The basic policy of the PRA—prompt access to nonexempt public records—has been recognized by the courts in interpreting RCW 42.56.550(4). "[P]ermitting a liberal recovery of costs" for a requestor in a PRA enforcement action "is consistent with the policy behind the act by making it financially feasible for private citizens to enforce the public's right to access public records." Am. Civil Liberties Union of Wash. v. Blaine Sch. Dist. No. 503 (ACLU II),95 Wn.App. 106, 115, 975 P.2d 536 (1999); see also Yacobellis v. City of Bellingham (Yacobellis II),64 Wn.App. 295, 300, 825 P.2d 324 (1992).

In the early case of Hearst Corp. v. Hoppe,90 Wn.2d 123, 140, 580 P.2d 246 (1978), the court noted that "[s]trict enforcement of these provisions where warranted should discourage improper denial of access to public records and adherence to the goals and procedures dictated by the statute." See also Amren v. City of Kalama,131...