HeraldNet: UPDATE: Details, timeline on worker privacy bill controversy



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The Petri Dish

March 11, 2009

UPDATE: Details, timeline on worker privacy bill controversy

Posted at 10:48 am by Jerry Cornfield

Below is information on what occurred Tuesday that led to the shelving of the Worker Privacy Act. It comes from leadership of the House of Representatives.

In response to your inquiry regarding HB 1528 – Worker Privacy Act:

Inappropriate communication was sent to legislators. Swift action was taken to uphold the ethical standards of the institution and to notify proper law enforcement authorities.

At the request of the Washington State Patrol, the communication in question cannot be released because it is under investigation. Additionally, House leadership has been asked not to discuss this matter at this time.

Below is the timeline of events that happened yesterday regarding immediate cessation of any further communication or deliberation on HB 1528 up to the point of referring the matter to the authorities.

Timeline of activities
Tuesday, March 10

3:50 PM
Speaker is shown the e-mail in Senate Majority Leader’s office

3:55 PM
Speaker returns to office
Immediately seeks consultation with House Counsel on ethical and legal issues
Decision made to halt all consideration and communication on HB 1528
Canceled 4:00 meeting with stakeholder representatives

4:30 PM
Senior staff and House Counsel meet
Read e-mail and analyzed ethical and legal issues
Further staff consultation regarding appropriate authorities for reporting incident

6:45 PM
Speaker meets with Leadership
Senior staff and House Counsel brief leadership on incident and initial analysis
Decision to immediately halt all consideration and communication on HB 1528 confirmed
Decision made to consult with Senate and Governor about House Leadership decision to refer matter to appropriate investigative authority
Set meeting with Governor and Senate Majority Leader

9:00 PM
Speaker meets with Senate Majority Leader and Governor
Decision confirmed to immediately halt all consideration and communication on HB 1528 and SB 5446
Decision made to refer incident to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Department
Joint agreement to suspend all contact with stakeholder representatives on this matter

9:30 PM
Counsel contacts investigative authority
Reported incident to Thurston County Sheriff Kimball
Sheriff Kimball refers matter to Washington State Patrol Chief Batiste

9:45 PM
Incident reported to Chief Batiste
Chief instructs legislative and executive branches to not distribute the e-mail because “the matter is under investigation”

10:00 PM
Counsel contacts members listed on e-mail distribution list

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