Wash. Rev. Code » Title 42 · Chapter 42.56
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.001 (2026)

Finding, purpose

✓ current as of May 2026
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The legislature finds that *chapter 42.17 RCW contains laws relating to several discrete subjects. Therefore, the purpose of chapter 274, Laws of 2005 is to recodify some of those laws and create a new chapter in the Revised Code of Washington that contains laws pertaining to public records.
[ 2005 c 274 s 1.]

Notes:

*Reviser's note: Provisions in chapter 42.17 RCW relating to public records were recodified in chapter 42.56 RCW by 2005 c 274, effective July 1, 2006. Provisions in chapter 42.17 RCW relating to campaign disclosure and contribution were recodified in chapter 42.17A RCW by 2010 c 204, effective January 1, 2012. Chapter 42.17A RCW was recodified into Title 29B RCW by 2024 c 164, effective January 1, 2026.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 16 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2008–2025 · leading case: Doe v. Reed, 177 L. Ed. 2d 493 (2010).
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Doe v. Reed, 177 L. Ed. 2d 493 (2010). · cites it 5× “The PRA, Wash. Rev. Code § 42.56.001 et seq. (2008), makes all “public records” available for public inspection and copying.”
Doe v. Reed, 561 U.S. 186 (2010). · cites it 10× “The PRA, Wash. Rev. Code §42.56.001 et seq., makes all “public records” available for public inspection and copy ing.”
Doe v. Reed, 586 F.3d 671 (9th Cir. 2009). “Wash. Rev.Code § 42.56.001 et seq. Under the Washington Constitution, a referendum must be ordered on a bill passed by the legislature if a specified percentage of voters sign a petition for a referendum.”
Ctr. for Competitive Politic v. Kamala Harris, 784 F.3d 1307 (9th Cir. 2015). “Wash. Rev.Code § 42.56.001 et seq. 5 . CCP conceded at oral argument that its challenge is best understood as a facial challenge.”
In Re Dependency of KB, 210 P.3d 330 (Wash. Ct. App. 2009). “RCW 42.56.001, .020. We use the term "PRA" throughout this opinion.”
Rioux v. Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 150 Wash. App. 912 (Wash. Ct. App. 2009). “RCW 42.56.001, .020. We use the term “PRA” throughout tins opinion.”
Doe v. Reed, 823 F. Supp. 2d 1195 (W.D. Wash. 2011). · cites it 2× “The PRA, Wash. Rev.Code § 42.56.001 et seq., makes all “public records” available for public inspection and copying.”
Doe v. Reed, 661 F. Supp. 2d 1194 (W.D. Wash. 2009). “In Count I of the complaint, Plaintiffs allege that the Washington Public Records Act, RCW 42.56.001, violates the First Amendment as applied to referendum petitions because the act is not narrowly tailored to serve a compelling governmental interest.”
Beal v. City of Seattle, 150 Wash. App. 865 (Wash. Ct. App. 2009). “30 Because Citizens do not prevail here, they are not entitled to attorney fees. ¶21 We affirm. Dwyer, A.C.J., and Becker, J.”
Kitsap Cnty. v. Smith, 143 Wash. App. 893 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). “RCW 42.56.001; see also Laws of 2005, ch.”
Beal v. City of Seattle, 209 P.3d 872 (Wash. Ct. App. 2009). “[30] Because Citizens do not prevail here, they are not entitled to attorney fees.”
Kitsap Cnty. v. Smith, 180 P.3d 834 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). “RCW 42.56.001; see also Laws of 2005, ch.”
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