PRA Practice Tips and Checklists
MRSC, in partnership with the State Auditor's Center for Government Innovation, has developed the following checklists and tip sheets to help local governments in Washington State comply with the Public Records Act (PRA).
These materials are part of MRSC's series on the Public Records Act.
Temporary notice (Dec. 2023): We also have a series of practice tips and checklists related to the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA). The OPMA and PRA practice tips and checklists used to be listed on a single page, but we have now separated them. For the OPMA resources, see our page OPMA Practice Tips and Checklists.
PRA Agency Obligations: A Starting Point
The PRA establishes basic procedural requirements that each agency must adopt. Use this checklist as a start for PRA compliance. Revised March 2021.
Download PRA Agency Obligations: A Starting Point (PDF)
How to Perform an Adequate Search
The PRA requires that agencies perform an adequate search to locate records responsive to a public records request. Use these practice tips to guide your agency's search for responsive records. Revised March 2021.
Download Practice Tips for Performing Adequate Searches (PDF)
Electronic Records Practice Tips
Electronic records can pose unique challenges for agencies related to records retention and the requirements of the PRA. Use these practice tips to guide your agency’s compliance with the PRA and records retention law in the context of electronic records. Revised March 2021.
Download Electronic Records Practice Tips (PDF)
Electronic Records Do’s and Don’ts
Rules governing electronic records can be complicated so it can be helpful to have guidance on what’s allowed, and what’s not, regarding common types of records. Use these Do’s and Don’ts to help guide your agency’s compliance with the PRA and records retention laws as these laws relate to electronic records. Revised March 2021.
Download Electronic Records Do's and Don'ts (PDF)
