Thank you for visiting the Pollution Liability Insurance Agency (PLIA) web site and reviewing our Privacy Notice. This notice addresses collection, use and security of and access to information that may be obtained through the use of this web site. This notice covers the following topics:
Information Collected and How It Is Used
When you access PLIA’s web site, no information that identifies you personally is automatically collected. We do not use cookies to track individual user visits. However, we do include links to other sites and embedded content to third party applications that may use cookies. By linking to another website, or interacting with embedded content from another site, you are subject to the privacy policy of that new site.
If during your visit to our web site, you choose to send an email, the following information will be collected:
- Email address
- Contents of Email
In all instances, we use the information you send us only to reply to your message or to help us get the information or service you requested. We do not create individual profiles from the information you provide, nor do we collect information for commercial marketing.
Personal Information and Choice
“Personal information” is information about a natural person that is readily identifiable to that specific individual. Personal information includes such things as an individual’s name, address, and phone number. A domain name or Internet Protocol address is not considered personal information.
We will collect no personal information about you when you visit our web site unless you choose to give that information to us through an e-mail message. If you are conducting business with PLIA, we will ask for only the information needed to complete the transaction, or as required by law.
If you choose not to contact us by email, it will not impair your ability to browse PLIA’s web site, and read and download any information provided on the site. You may call or write the agency using the contact information at the end of this Notice.
If you volunteer personal information by email, state law and the federal Privacy Act of 1974 may protect it. However, this information is a public record once you provide it, and may be subject to public inspection and copying if not protected by federal or state law.
If you believe that your personal information is being used for a purpose other than what was intended when submitted, you may contact PLIA as shown in the contact information at the end of this Notice.
PLIA’s web site is a general audience site and we do not knowingly collect any personal information from children. Users are cautioned that the collection of personal information requested from or volunteered by children on-line or by email will be treated the same as information given by an adult, and may be subject to public access.
Public Access to Information
In the state of Washington, laws exist to ensure that government is open and that the public has a right to access appropriate records and information possessed by state government. At the same time, there are exceptions to the public’s right to access public records that serve various needs, including the privacy of individuals. Exceptions are provided by both state and federal laws.
Information collected at this site may become public record and may be subject to inspection and copying by members of the public, unless an exemption in law exists. RCW 42.17.260(1) states that “Each agency, in accordance with published rules, shall make available for public inspection and copying all public records, unless the record falls within the specific exemptions of subsection (6) of this section, RCW 42.17.310, 42.17.315 or other statute which exempts or prohibits disclosure of specific information or records. To the extent required to prevent an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy interests protected by RCW 42.17.310 and 42.17.315, an agency shall delete identifying details in a manner consistent with RCW 42.17.310 and 42.17.315 when it makes available or publishes any public record; however, in each case, the justification for the deletion shall be explained fully in writing.”
Section 374-70-130 of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) states that “all information obtained during heating oil tank registration shall be confidential and may not be subject to public disclosure under Chapter 42.17 RCW.” In addition, “all examination and proprietary reports and information obtained in soliciting bids from insurers and in monitoring the selected insurer shall be confidential and may not be made public or otherwise disclosed to any person, firm, corporation, agency, association, government body or other entity.” RCW 70.148.060 also states that “all examination and proprietary reports and information obtained by the director and the director’s staff in soliciting bids from insurers and in monitoring the insurer selected by the director shall not be made public or otherwise disclosed to any person, firm, corporation, agency, association, governmental body or other entity.”
In the event of a conflict between this Privacy Notice and the Public Records Act or other law governing the agency’s disclosure of records, the Public Records Act or other applicable law will control.
For more information about open public records, visit the Office of the Attorney General web site.
Because the content of this web site is considered public information, it may be copied, downloaded or distributed unless otherwise specified. We request that you give appropriate by-line/photo/image credits.
Use of this information including, but not limited to, addresses, telephone numbers or email addresses provided on this site for commercial purposes is prohibited under RCW 42.17.260(9).
Nondisclosure of Certain Personal Information
PLIA is committed to protecting your privacy when visiting our web site and when conducting business with our agency. PLIA is further directed to safeguard users’ privacy under Executive Order 00-03, concerning public record’s privacy protection.
When you are conducting official business with PLIA, it is important to remember that most of the information you submit, not specifically exempt by 374-70-130 WAC, is considered public record and is subject to disclosure. Our web site includes a downloadable form. By sending us this form you may be providing personal information. Only PLIA employees have access to personal information. Personal data in PLIA’s possession is maintained and used in ways that respect individual privacy. PLIA has provided training to its employees about the importance of protecting personal information and has adopted a Public Inquiries Policy.
PLIA may require you to provide certain personal information; such as, name, street address, or telephone number. This information may be required to complete a business transaction. You may choose not to provide this information, but if you choose not to provide it we will be unable to fulfill your request, and you will have to contact PLIA by mail, phone, or in person.
Review and Correction of Personally Identifiable Information
You can review any personally identifiable information we collect about you by contacting the agency using the contact information at the end of this Notice. If you find factual errors in your personally identifiable information, you may correct them by submitting a request by email, telephone, or mail. We will take reasonable steps to verify your identity before granting access or making corrections (RCW 43.105.310).
Security
PLIA, as the developer and manager of this web site, has taken several steps to safeguard the integrity of its data and prevent unauthorized access to information that it maintains. These measures are designed and intended to prevent corruption of data, block unknown or unauthorized access to our systems and information, and to provide reasonable protection of private information in our possession.
This information should not be construed in any way as giving business, legal, or other advice, or warranting as fail proof, the security of information provided by PLIA’s web site.
Disclaimer
This web site has many links to other web sites. These include links to web sites operated by other government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private businesses. When you link to another site, you are no longer on PLIA’s web site and this Privacy Notice will not apply. When you link to another web site, you are subject to the privacy policy of that new site.
Reference in this web site to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the state of Washington, PLIA, or its officers, employees or agents.
Neither the state of Washington, nor any agency, officer, or employee of the state of Washington warrants the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information published by this system, nor endorses any content, viewpoints, products, or services linked from this system, and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at their own risk.
PLIA reserves the right to revise and update this Privacy Notice at any time without notice by posting such revised Privacy Notice at the PLIA web site home page.
Contact Information
To review or make corrections to your personal information, or to offer comments or questions about PLIA’s web site or this Privacy Notice, you may contact the agency:
By Mail: PO Box 40930, Olympia, WA 98504-0930
By Phone: (360) 407-0520 or 1-(800)-822-3905
By Email: pliamail@plia.wa.gov