The Firehouse Lawyer Newsletter

Results for newsletters with the topic “Open Public Meetings Act” and the subtopic “Quorums

DescriptionVolume_IssueYearMonthPDF
Today we address a myriad of issues with the Public Records Act, including giving the “fullest assistance” possible to records requestors, requiring that requests be made in writing, penalties, and records indexing; we also consider whether a discussion between two members of a governing body, when this does not constitute a majority of that body, is a “meeting” under the OPMA; there is also some legislation of interest addressing the finding in the Hangartner case that an agency cannot reject records requests on the grounds that a request is overbroad; we then briefly discuss the requirement that your agency hire a claims agent under RCW 4.96 to process claims. 05-0920059v05n09sep2005.pdf
We now look to new developments to the long-established Firefighter’s Rule, which is a general rule of non-liability to firefighters, applicable to property owners whose negligence caused the emergency that led to the firefighter’s presence on the property where the fire (or other emergency) occurred; what pre-employment inquiries are or are not permitted under the ADA and WLAD; and we also consider whether study sessions are subject to the OPMA. 05-0620056v05n06jun2005.pdf
This article discusses proposed legislation that may result in the pro-rationing of junior taxing districts' levies across Washington State; an unpublished court opinion discussing whether an email exchange violated the Open Public Meetings Act; the appointment of auditing officers to pay certain claims prior to Board approval; the burdens of proof in "occupational disease" cases for firefighters seeking L&I benefits; finally, we include our monthly Safety Bill column, which enumerates the importance of safety checklists. 15-0220172February2017FINAL.pdf
In this issue, we discuss a medical negligence case from the Court of Appeals that could have impacts on our fire service readers; we also discuss the pitfalls of "agenda setting" by commissioners, and some 2021 Legislation of Interest.19-0220212February2021FINAL.pdf
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