The bill amends RCW 48.02.065 to enhance the confidentiality protections for documents, materials, and information related to insurance companies. It introduces new subsections (7) and (8), which establish that documents provided to the commissioner by the federal government concerning emergency management and the national flood insurance program, as well as data requested from property and casualty entities for market condition studies, are confidential and privileged. The bill clarifies that this data is not subject to public disclosure under chapter 42.56 RCW, while also allowing the commissioner to prepare and publish reports using aggregate data that does not identify individual companies.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing provisions regarding the sharing of confidential information, allowing the commissioner to share such information with state agencies, provided that confidentiality is maintained. It also specifies that no waiver of privilege occurs due to disclosures made to the commissioner. The bill includes a process for individuals to petition a court for access to information exempt from public disclosure in cases of alleged negligence or malfeasance by the commissioner, ensuring that the court can review the information and determine if public disclosure is warranted based on the public interest.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 48.02.065
Substitute Bill: 48.02.065
Bill as Passed Legislature: 48.02.065
Session Law: 48.02.065