Washington House Bill HB1222

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/13/25
• Refer: 1/13/25
• Report Pass: 1/31/25
• Refer: 2/4/25
• Engrossed: 2/13/25
• Refer: 2/14/25
• Report Pass: 3/21/25
• Enrolled: 4/15/25
• Chaptered: 4/21/25
• Passed: 4/21/25

Caption

Concerning public inspection and copying of proprietary financial and security information submitted to or obtained by the gambling commission.

Impact

The introduction of HB 1222 could lead to substantial changes in legislation governing gambling practices in the state. The bill aims to clarify what constitutes proprietary information and under what circumstances this information may be disclosed to the public or remain confidential. Consequently, this could have a direct impact on how the gambling commission processes financial data and responds to public inquiries. Moreover, it may influence trust in the regulatory body overseeing gambling by ensuring that relevant information is available, thereby fostering an environment of accountability.

Summary

House Bill 1222 addresses the protocols related to the public inspection and copying of proprietary financial and security information submitted to or obtained by the gambling commission. This bill is significant because it establishes a framework for how sensitive information collected by the gambling commission can be accessed by the public while balancing the need for confidentiality in financial affairs. The intention behind this legislation is to enhance transparency without compromising sensitive information integrity in the gambling industry.

Contention

One of the primary points of contention surrounding HB 1222 may be the balance it seeks to strike between public interest and the protection of proprietary information. Advocates for transparency will likely support the bill for its potential to provide the public insight into the operations of the gambling industry, while opponents might argue that the bill could expose valuable financial information that may give rise to unfair competition or other risks. The discussions on the bill could reflect broader debates about regulatory oversight in industries classified as highly sensitive, such as gambling.