Wash. Rev. Code » Title 42 · Chapter 42.30
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 42.30.030 (2026)

Meetings declared open and public

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) All meetings of the governing body of a public agency shall be open and public and all persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting of the governing body of a public agency, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
(2) Public agencies are encouraged to provide for the increased ability of the public to observe and participate in the meetings of governing bodies through real-time telephonic, electronic, internet, or other readily available means of remote access that do not require an additional cost to access the meeting.
[ 2022 c 115 s 3; 1971 ex.s. c 250 s 3.]

Notes:

Findings—Intent—2022 c 115: See note following RCW 42.30.230.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 57 cases (11 in the last 5 years), 1974–2026 · leading case: Loeffelholz v. Citizens for Leaders With Ethics & Acct. Now, 82 P.3d 1199 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004).
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Loeffelholz v. Citizens for Leaders With Ethics & Acct. Now, 82 P.3d 1199 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). · cites it 6× “See RCW 42.30.030 (“All meetings of the governing body of a public agency shall be open and public .”
Miller v. City of Tacoma, 979 P.2d 429 (Wash. 1999). · cites it 4× “To analyze compliance with the act in the present case, we must therefore consider whether (1) the executive session falls within the definition of "meeting" under the act, and (2), if so, whether one of the act's exceptions applies.”
Miller v. City of Tacoma, 138 Wash. 2d 318 (Wash. 1999). · cites it 4× “To analyze compliance with the act in the present case, we must therefore consider whether (1) the executive session falls within the definition of “meeting” under the act, and (2), if so, whether one of the act’s exceptions applies.”
Refai v. Cent. Washington Univ., 742 P.2d 137 (Wash. Ct. App. 1987). · cites it 6× “" (Italics ours.) *11 The terms "governing body" and "public agency" are defined in former RCW 42.”
In re the Recall of Lakewood City Council Members, 144 Wash. 2d 583 (Wash. 2001). · cites it 5× “110(1)(i): that merely the presence of an attorney is not in itself sufficient to justify an executive session.”
In Re Recall of Lakewood City Council, 30 P.3d 474 (Wash. 2001). · cites it 5× “Most alarmingly, the majority frustrates the clear open meeting requirement expressed in RCW 42.30.030. This provision is the very foundation of the OPMA.”
Estey v. Dempsey, 707 P.2d 1338 (Wash. 1985). · cites it 4× “RCW 42.30.030. Meeting is defined in RCW 42.”
Teaford v. Howard, 707 P.2d 1327 (Wash. 1985). · cites it 2× “RCW 42.30.030. "Meeting" is defined in RCW 42.”
Donna Zink & Jeff Zink v. City of Mesa, 487 P.3d 902 (Wash. Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 2× “City of Mesa ANALYSIS Open Public Meetings Act The OPMA provides “[a]ll meetings of the governing body of a public agency shall be open and public and all persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting of the governing body of a public agency, except as otherwise provided in…”
Wood v. Battle Ground Sch. Dist., 27 P.3d 1208 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001). “Failure to comply subjects members to civil penalties: (1) Each member of the governing body who attends a meeting of such governing body where action is taken in violation of any provision of this chapter applicable to him, with knowledge of the fact that the meeting is in…”
Loeffelholz v. Citizens for Leaders, 82 P.3d 1199 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). · cites it 6× “[105] See RCW 42.30.030 ("All meetings of the governing body of a public agency shall be open and public") (emphasis added); RCW 42.”
Citizens All. for Prop. Rights Legal Fund v. San Juan Cnty., 359 P.3d 753 (Wash. 2015). “Statutory construction ¶13 RCW 42.30.030 sets forth the OPMA’s prohibition against closed public meetings: All meetings of the governing body of a public agency shall be open and public and all persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting of the governing body of a public…”
Show all 57 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 42.30.030(1) — 4 cases
Donna Zink, et ux v. City of Mesa (Wash. Ct. App. 2024).
Donna Zink, et ux v. City of Mesa (Wash. Ct. App. 2024).
Arthur West, V. Lower Duwamish Waterway Grp. (Wash. Ct. App. 2026).
Arthur West, V. City Of Burien (Wash. Ct. App. 2026).
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