Recommendations of the “sunshine” panel, which reviews the state’s public disclosure exemptions, are one step closer to becoming law.

Lawmakers passed a proposal that would implement nine recommendations of the panel out of the Senate government operations committee this morning.

Finalists’ job applications for top public positions, such as that of university presidents, would be public with the measure. It would also exempt local gang databases – compiled by law enforcement — from public disclosure, as well as certain personal financial information.

The measure met an important deadline by getting passed out of committee today; Friday is the cutoff date for most bills to move out of policy committees.

Most of the “sunshine” panel’s recommendations have not become law since it was created in 2007 at the request of Attorney General Rob McKenna.

Read The News Tribune story from earlier this week with more details about the proposal here.