RCW 42.56.650 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 650
RCW 42.56.650: Health carrier data.
Status: in_force

(1) Any data submitted by health carriers to the health benefit exchange for purposes of establishing standardized health plans under RCW 43.71.095 are exempt from disclosure under this chapter. This subsection applies to health carrier data in the custody of the insurance commissioner for purposes of consulting with the health benefit exchange under RCW 43.71.095 (1). (2) Any data submitted by health carriers to the health care authority for purposes of RCW 41.05.410 are exempt from disclosure under this chapter.
RCW 42.40.035 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 40 / Section 035
RCW 42.40.035: Duty of correctness—Penalties for false information.
Status: in_force

An employee must make a reasonable attempt to ascertain the correctness of the information furnished and may be subject to disciplinary actions, including, but not limited to, suspension or termination, for knowingly furnishing false information as determined by the employee's appointing authority.
RCW 42.52.903 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 903
RCW 42.52.903: Serving on board, committee, or commission not prevented.
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted to prevent a member of a board, committee, advisory commission, or other body required or permitted by statute to be appointed from any identifiable group or interest, from serving on such body in accordance with the intent of the legislature in establishing such body.
RCW 42.40.080 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 40 / Section 080
RCW 42.40.080: Contracting for assistance.
Status: in_force

The auditor has the authority to contract for any assistance necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
RCW 42.56.900 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 900
RCW 42.56.900: Purpose—2005 c 274 ss 402-429.
Status: in_force

The purpose of sections 402 through 429 of this act is to reorganize the public inspection and copying exemptions in *RCW 42.17.310 through 42.17.31921 by creating smaller, discrete code sections organized by subject matter. The legislature does not intend that this act effectuate any substantive change to any public inspection and copying exemption in the Revised Code of Washington.
RCW 42.56.540 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 540
RCW 42.56.540: Court protection of public records.
Status: in_force

The examination of any specific public record may be enjoined if, upon motion and affidavit by an agency or its representative or a person who is named in the record or to whom the record specifically pertains, the superior court for the county in which the movant resides or in which the record is maintained, finds that such examination would clearly not be in the public interest and would substantially and irreparably damage any person, or would substantially and irreparably damage vital governmental functions. An agency has the option of notifying persons named in the record or to whom a record specifically pertains, that release of a record has been requested. However, this option does not exist where the agency is required by law to provide such notice.
RCW 42.52.220 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 220
RCW 42.52.220: Universities and state board for community and technical colleges—Administrative processes.
Status: in_force

(1) Consistent with the state policy to encourage basic and applied scientific research by the state's research universities as stated in RCW 28B.140.005 , and consistent with the expectations of university faculty to produce, publish, and disseminate research and scholarship, each university and the state board for community and technical colleges may develop, adopt, and implement one or more written administrative processes that shall apply in place of the obligations imposed on institutions of higher education, faculty, and university research employees under RCW 42.52.030 , 42.52.040 , 42.52.080 , 42.52.110 , 42.52.120 , 42.52.130 , 42.52.150 , and 42.52.160 . The institutions of higher education shall coordinate on the development of administrative processes to ensure the processes are comparable. Each policy shall apply upon approval by boards of trustees or regents for the state universities, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College, or by the state board for community and technical colleges. Each board of trustees or regents and the state board for community and technical colleges must provide the executive ethics board with a copy of each institution's policy upon approval. A faculty member or university research employee in compliance with the processes authorized in this section shall be deemed to be in compliance with RCW 42.52.030 , 42.52.040 , 42.52.080 , 42.52.110 , 42.52.120 , 42.52.130 , 42.52.150 , and 42.52.160 . (2) The executive ethics board shall enforce activity subject to the written approval processes under this section, as provided in RCW 42.52.360 .
RCW 42.52.160 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 160
RCW 42.52.160: Use of persons, money, or property for private gain.
Status: in_force

(1) No state officer or state employee may employ or use any person, money, or property under the officer's or employee's official control or direction, or in his or her official custody, for the private benefit or gain of the officer, employee, or another. (2) This section does not prohibit the use of public resources to benefit others as part of a state officer's or state employee's official duties. It is not a violation of this section for a legislator or employees under the jurisdiction of the legislative ethics board to engage in activities listed under RCW 42.52.822 or 42.52.175 . (3) This section does not prohibit de minimis use of state facilities to provide employees with information about (a) medical, surgical, and hospital care; (b) life insurance or accident and health disability insurance; or (c) individual retirement accounts, by any person, firm, or corporation administering such program as part of authorized payroll deductions pursuant to RCW 41.04.020 . (4) The appropriate ethics boards may adopt rules providing exceptions to this section for occasional use of the state officer or state employee, of de minimis cost and value, if the activity does not result in interference with the proper performance of official duties. (5) This section does not apply to activities conducted by legislative employees authorized under RCW 44.90.110 .
RCW 42.52.900 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 900
RCW 42.52.900: Legislative declaration.
Status: in_force

Government derives its powers from the people. Ethics in government are the foundation on which the structure of government rests. State officials and employees of government hold a public trust that obligates them, in a special way, to honesty and integrity in fulfilling the responsibilities to which they are elected and appointed. Paramount in that trust is the principle that public office, whether elected or appointed, may not be used for personal gain or private advantage. The citizens of the state expect all state officials and employees to perform their public responsibilities in accordance with the highest ethical and moral standards and to conduct the business of the state only in a manner that advances the public's interest. State officials and employees are subject to the sanctions of law and scrutiny of the media; ultimately, however, they are accountable to the people and must consider this public accountability as a particular obligation of the public service. Only when affairs of government are conducted, at all levels, with openness as provided by law and an unswerving commitment to the public good does government work as it should. The obligations of government rest equally on the state's citizenry. The effectiveness of government depends, fundamentally, on the confidence citizens can have in the judgments and decisions of their elected representatives. Citizens, therefore, should honor and respect the principles and the spirit of representative democracy, recognizing that both elected and appointed officials, together with state employees, seek to carry out their public duties with professional skill and dedication to the public interest. Such service merits public recognition and support. All who have the privilege of working for the people of Washington state can have but one aim: To give the highest public service to its citizens.
RCW 42.30.040 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 30 / Section 040
RCW 42.30.040: Conditions to attendance not to be required.
Status: in_force

A member of the public shall not be required, as a condition to attendance at a meeting of a governing body, to register his or her name and other information, to complete a questionnaire, or otherwise to fulfill any condition precedent to his or her attendance. This section does not prohibit any generally applicable conditions determined by the governing body to be reasonably necessary to protect the public health or safety, or to protect against interruption of the meeting, including a meeting at which the physical attendance by some or all members of the public is limited due to a declared emergency.
RCW 42.40.090 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 40 / Section 090
RCW 42.40.090: Administrative costs.
Status: in_force

The cost of administering this chapter is funded through the auditing services revolving account created in RCW 43.09.410 .
RCW 42.45.180 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 45 / Section 180
RCW 42.45.180: Journal.
Status: in_force

(1) A notary public shall maintain a journal in which the notary public chronicles all notarial acts that the notary public performs. The notary public shall retain the journal for ten years after the performance of the last notarial act chronicled in the journal. The journal is to be destroyed as required by the director in rule upon completion of the ten-year period. (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter requiring a notary public to maintain a journal, a notary public who is an attorney licensed to practice law in this state is not required to chronicle a notarial act in a journal if documentation of the notarial act is otherwise maintained by professional practice. (3) A notary public shall maintain only one tangible journal at a time to chronicle notarial acts, whether those notarial acts are performed regarding tangible or electronic records. The journal must be a permanent, bound register with numbered pages. An electronic records notary public may also maintain an electronic format journal, which can be kept concurrently with the tangible journal. The electronic journal must be in a permanent, tamper-evident electronic format complying with the rules of the director. (4) An entry in a journal must be made contemporaneously with performance of the notarial act and contain the following information: (a) The date and time of the notarial act; (b) A description of the record, if any, and type of notarial act; (c) The full name and address of each individual for whom the notarial act is performed; and (d) Any additional information as required by the director in rule. (5) The journal shall be kept in a locked and secured area, under the direct and exclusive control of the notary public. Failure to secure the journal may be cause for the director to take administrative action against the commission held by the notary public. If a notary public's journal is lost or stolen, the notary public promptly shall notify the department on discovering that the journal is lost or stolen. (6) On resignation from, or the revocation or suspension of, a notary public's commission, the notary public shall retain the notary public's journal in accordance with subsection (1) of this section and inform the department where the journal is located.
RCW 42.16.017 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 16 / Section 017
RCW 42.16.017: Payroll preparation and accounting—Establishment of policies, procedures, and paydates.
Status: in_force

The director of financial management shall adopt the necessary policies and procedures to implement RCW 42.16.010 through 42.16.017 , including the establishment of paydates. Such paydates shall conform to RCW 42.16.010 . The director of financial management shall have approval over all agency and state payroll systems and shall determine the payroll systems to be used by state agencies to ensure the implementation of RCW 42.16.010 and 41.04.232 : PROVIDED, That for purposes of the central personnel payroll system, the provisions of RCW 41.07.020 shall apply.
RCW 42.17A.785 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 785
RCW 42.17A.785: Public disclosure transparency account.
Status: in_force

The public disclosure transparency account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from penalties collected pursuant to enforcement actions or settlements under this chapter, including any fees or costs, must be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Moneys in the account may be used only for the implementation of chapter 304, Laws of 2018 and duties under this chapter, and may not be used to supplant general fund appropriations to the commission.
RCW 42.52.180 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 180
RCW 42.52.180: Use of public resources for political campaigns.
Status: in_force

(1) No state officer or state employee may use or authorize the use of facilities of an agency, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of assisting a campaign for election of a person to an office or for the promotion of or opposition to a ballot proposition. Knowing acquiescence by a person with authority to direct, control, or influence the actions of the state officer or state employee using public resources in violation of this section constitutes a violation of this section. Facilities of an agency include, but are not limited to, use of stationery, postage, machines, and equipment, use of state employees of the agency during working hours, vehicles, office space, publications of the agency, and clientele lists of persons served by the agency. (2) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to the following activities: (a) Action taken at an open public meeting by members of an elected legislative body to express a collective decision, or to actually vote upon a motion, proposal, resolution, order, or ordinance, or to support or oppose a ballot proposition as long as (i) required notice of the meeting includes the title and number of the ballot proposition, and (ii) members of the legislative body or members of the public are afforded an approximately equal opportunity for the expression of an opposing view; (b) A statement by an elected official in support of or in opposition to any ballot proposition at an open press conference or in response to a specific inquiry. For the purposes of this subsection, it is not a violation of this section for an elected official to respond to an inquiry regarding a ballot proposition, to make incidental remarks concerning a ballot proposition in an official communication, or otherwise comment on a ballot proposition without an actual, measurable expenditure of public funds. The ethics boards shall adopt by rule a definition of measurable expenditure; (c)(i) The maintenance of official legislative websites throughout the year, regardless of pending elections. The websites may contain any discretionary material which was also specifically prepared for the legislator in the course of his or her official duties as a legislator, including newsletters and press releases. (ii) The official legislative websites of legislators seeking reelection or election to any office shall not be altered, other than during a special legislative session or to change office contact information, beginning on the first day of the declaration of candidacy filing period specified in RCW 29A.24.050 through the date of certification by the secretary of state of the general election of the election year. As used in this subsection, "legislator" means a legislator who is a "candidate," as defined in RCW 42.17A.005 , for any public office. "Legislator" does not include a member of the legislature who has announced their retirement from elected public office and who does not file a declaration of candidacy by the end of the candidacy filing period specified in RCW 29A.24.050 . (iii) The website shall not be used for campaign purposes; (d) Activities that are part of the normal and regular conduct of the office or agency; (e) De minimis use of public facilities by statewide elected officials and legislators incidental to the preparation or delivery of permissible communications, including written and verbal communications initiated by them of their views on ballot propositions that foreseeably may affect a matter that falls within their constitutional or statutory responsibilities; and (f) Activities with a legislative nexus as described under RCW 42.52.175 . For the official legislative website of a legislator, this subsection is subject to subsection (2)(c)(ii) of this section. Official legislative websites that are not the official legislative website of a legislator are not subject to subsection (2)(c)(ii) of this section but may not directly or indirectly reference a ballot measure or legislator running for elected office, during the period described in subsection (2)(c)(ii) of this section. (3) As to state officers and employees, this section operates to the exclusion of RCW 42.17A.555 . (4) As used in this section, "official legislative website" includes, but is not limited to, a legislator's official legislative social media accounts.
RCW 42.45.070 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 45 / Section 070
RCW 42.45.070: Individual unable to sign—Signature.
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in RCW 64.08.100 , if an individual is physically unable to sign a record, the individual may direct an individual other than the notarial officer to sign the individual's name on the record. The notarial officer shall insert "signature affixed by (name of other individual) at the direction of (name of individual)" or words of similar import.
RCW 42.24.115 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 24 / Section 115
RCW 42.24.115: Municipal corporations and political subdivisions—Charge cards for officers' and employees' travel expenses.
Status: in_force

(1) Any municipal corporation or political subdivision may provide for the issuance of charge cards to officers and employees for the purpose of covering expenses incident to authorized travel. (2) If a charge card is issued for the purpose of covering expenses relating to authorized travel, upon billing or no later than thirty days of the billing date, the officer or employee using a charge card issued under this section shall submit a fully itemized travel expense voucher. Any charges against the charge card not properly identified on the travel expense voucher or not allowed following the audit required under RCW 42.24.080 shall be paid by the official or employee by check, United States currency, or salary deduction. (3) If, for any reason, disallowed charges are not repaid before the charge card billing is due and payable, the municipal corporation or political subdivision shall have a prior lien against and a right to withhold any and all funds payable or to become payable to the official or employee up to an amount of the disallowed charges and interest at the same rate as charged by the company which issued the charge card. Any official or employee who has been issued a charge card by a municipal corporation or political subdivision shall not use the card if any disallowed charges are outstanding and shall surrender the card upon demand of the auditing officer. The municipal corporation or political subdivision shall have unlimited authority to revoke use of any charge card issued under this section, and, upon such revocation order being delivered to the charge card company, shall not be liable for any costs.
RCW 42.17A.760 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 760
RCW 42.17A.760: Procedure upon petition for enforcement of order of commission—Court's order of enforcement.
Status: in_force

The following procedure shall apply in all cases where the commission has petitioned a court of competent jurisdiction for enforcement of any order it has issued pursuant to this chapter: (1) A copy of the petition shall be served by certified mail directed to the respondent at his or her last known address. The court shall issue an order directing the respondent to appear at a time designated in the order, not less than five days from the date thereof, and show cause why the commission's order should not be enforced according to its terms. (2) The commission's order shall be enforced by the court if the respondent does not appear, or if the respondent appears and the court finds, pursuant to a hearing held for that purpose: (a) That the commission's order is unsatisfied; (b) That the order is regular on its face; and (c) That the respondent's answer discloses no valid reason why the commission's order should not be enforced or that the respondent had an appropriate remedy by review under RCW 34.05.570 (3) and failed to avail himself or herself of that remedy without valid excuse. (3) Upon appropriate application by the respondent, the court may, after hearing and for good cause, alter, amend, revise, suspend, or postpone all or part of the commission's order. In any case where the order is not enforced by the court according to its terms, the reasons for the court's actions shall be clearly stated in writing, and the action shall be subject to review by the appellate courts by certiorari or other appropriate proceeding. (4) The court's order of enforcement, when entered, shall have the same force and effect as a civil judgment. (5) Notwithstanding RCW 34.05.578 through 34.05.590 , this section is the exclusive method for enforcing an order of the commission.
RCW 42.24.100 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 24 / Section 100
RCW 42.24.100: Municipal corporations and political subdivisions—Certificates need not be sworn—Penalty for false claim.
Status: in_force

The certificates required by RCW 42.24.080 through 42.24.110 need not be sworn, but any person certifying a claim or making a claim knowing the same to be false or untrue shall be guilty of perjury in the second degree.
RCW 42.17A.909 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 909
RCW 42.17A.909: Short title—1993 c 2.
Status: in_force

This act may be known and cited as the Fair Campaign Practices Act.
RCW 42.20.080 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 20 / Section 080
RCW 42.20.080: Other violations by officers.
Status: in_force

Every officer or other person mentioned in RCW 42.20.070 , who shall willfully disobey any provision of law regulating his or her official conduct in cases other than those specified in said section, shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
RCW 42.52.130 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 130
RCW 42.52.130: Honoraria.
Status: in_force

(1) No state officer or state employee may receive honoraria unless specifically authorized by the agency where they serve as state officer or state employee. (2) An agency may not permit honoraria under the following circumstances: (a) The person offering the honorarium is seeking or is reasonably expected to seek contractual relations with or a grant from the employer of the state officer or state employee, and the officer or employee is in a position to participate in the terms or the award of the contract or grant; (b) The person offering the honorarium is regulated by the employer of the state officer or state employee and the officer or employee is in a position to participate in the regulation; or (c) The person offering the honorarium (i) is seeking or opposing or is reasonably likely to seek or oppose enactment of legislation or adoption of administrative rules or actions, or policy changes by the state officer's or state employee's agency; and (ii) the officer or employee may participate in the enactment or adoption.
RCW 42.45.190 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 45 / Section 190
RCW 42.45.190: Notarial acts on electronic records—Technology—Notification—Standards.
Status: in_force

(1) A notary public may not perform notarial acts with respect to electronic records unless the notary public holds a commission as an electronic records notary public. (2) An electronic records notary public may select one or more tamper-evident technologies to perform notarial acts with respect to electronic records that meet the standards provided in subsection (4) of this section. A person cannot require an electronic records notary public to perform a notarial act with respect to an electronic record with a technology that the notary public has not selected. (3) Before an electronic records notary public performs the notary public's initial notarial act with respect to an electronic record, an electronic records notary public shall notify the department that he or she will be performing notarial acts with respect to electronic records and identify the technology the electronic records notary public intends to use. (4) The director shall establish standards for approval of technology in rule. If the technology conforms to the standards, the director shall approve the use of the technology.
RCW 42.24.160 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 24 / Section 160
RCW 42.24.160: Advancements for travel expenses—Purpose—Not personal loan.
Status: in_force

An advance made under RCW 42.24.120 through 42.24.160 shall be considered as having been made to such officer or employee to be expended by him or her as an agent of the municipal corporation or political subdivision for the municipal corporation's or political subdivision's purposes only, and specifically to defray necessary costs while performing his or her official duties. No such advance shall be considered as a personal loan to such officer or employee and any expenditure thereof, other than for official business purposes, shall be considered a misappropriation of public funds.
RCW 42.60.040 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 60 / Section 040
RCW 42.60.040: Agreements in conflict with chapter.
Status: in_force

Any agreements in existence on June 7, 2018, that make any state or local government agency information or database available in conflict with the terms of this chapter are terminated on that date to the extent of the conflict.
RCW 42.17A.150 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 150
RCW 42.17A.150: Duty to preserve statements and reports.
Status: in_force

The commission must preserve statements or reports required to be filed under this chapter for not less than ten years.
RCW 42.56.100 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 100
RCW 42.56.100: Protection of public records—Public access.
Status: in_force

Agencies shall adopt and enforce reasonable rules and regulations, and the office of the secretary of the senate and the office of the chief clerk of the house of representatives shall adopt reasonable procedures allowing for the time, resource, and personnel constraints associated with legislative sessions, consonant with the intent of this chapter to provide full public access to public records, to protect public records from damage or disorganization, and to prevent excessive interference with other essential functions of the agency, the office of the secretary of the senate, or the office of the chief clerk of the house of representatives. Such rules and regulations shall provide for the fullest assistance to inquirers and the most timely possible action on requests for information. Nothing in this section shall relieve agencies, the office of the secretary of the senate, and the office of the chief clerk of the house of representatives from honoring requests received by mail for copies of identifiable public records. If a public record request is made at a time when such record exists but is scheduled for destruction in the near future, the agency, the office of the secretary of the senate, or the office of the chief clerk of the house of representatives shall retain possession of the record, and may not destroy or erase the record until the request is resolved.
RCW 42.17A.700 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 700
RCW 42.17A.700: Elected officials, executive state officers, candidates, and appointees—Statement of financial affairs.
Status: in_force

(1) After January 1st and before April 15th of each year, every elected official and every executive state officer who served for any portion of the preceding year shall electronically file with the commission a statement of financial affairs for the preceding calendar year or for that portion of the year served. Any official or officer in office for any period of time in a calendar year, but not in office as of January 1st of the following year, may electronically file either within sixty days of leaving office or during the January 1st through April 15th reporting period of that following year. Such filing must include information for the portion of the current calendar year for which the official or officer was in office. (2) Within two weeks of becoming a candidate, every candidate shall file with the commission a statement of financial affairs for the preceding twelve months. (3) Within two weeks of appointment, every person appointed to a vacancy in an elective office or executive state officer position during the months of January through November shall file with the commission a statement of financial affairs for the preceding twelve months, except as provided in subsection (4) of this section. For appointments made in December, the appointee must file the statement of financial affairs between January 1st and January 15th of the immediate following year for the preceding twelve-month period ending on December 31st. (4) A statement of a candidate or appointee filed during the period from January 1st to April 15th shall cover the period from January 1st of the preceding calendar year to the time of candidacy or appointment if the filing of the statement would relieve the individual of a prior obligation to file a statement covering the entire preceding calendar year. (5) No individual may be required to file more than once in any calendar year. (6) Each statement of financial affairs filed under this section shall be sworn as to its truth and accuracy. (7) Every elected official and every executive state officer shall file with their statement of financial affairs a statement certifying that they have read and are familiar with RCW 42.17A.555 or 42.52.180 , whichever is applicable. (8) For the purposes of this section, the term "executive state officer" includes those listed in RCW 42.17A.705 . (9) This section does not apply to incumbents or candidates for a federal office or the office of precinct committee officer.
RCW 42.52.330 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 330
RCW 42.52.330: Interpretation.
Status: in_force

By constitutional design, the legislature consists of citizen-legislators who bring to bear on the legislative process their individual experience and expertise. The provisions of this chapter shall be interpreted in light of this constitutional principle.
RCW 42.17A.225 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 225
RCW 42.17A.225: Filing and reporting by continuing political committee.
Status: in_force

(1) In addition to the provisions of this section, a continuing political committee shall file and report on the same conditions and at the same times as any other committee in accordance with the provisions of RCW 42.17A.205 , 42.17A.210 , and 42.17A.220 . (2) A continuing political committee shall file with the commission a report on the tenth day of each month detailing expenditures made and contributions received for the preceding calendar month. This report need only be filed if either the total contributions received or total expenditures made since the last such report exceed two hundred dollars. The report shall be on a form supplied by the commission and shall include the following information: (a) The information required by RCW 42.17A.240 ; (b) Each expenditure made to retire previously accumulated debts of the committee identified by recipient, amount, and date of payments; (c) Other information the commission shall prescribe by rule. (3) If a continuing political committee makes a contribution in support of or in opposition to a candidate or ballot proposition within sixty days before the date that the candidate or ballot proposition will be voted upon, the committee shall report pursuant to RCW 42.17A.235 . (4)(a) A continuing political committee shall file reports as required by this chapter until the committee has ceased to function and intends to dissolve, at which time, when there is no outstanding debt or obligation and the committee is concluded in all respects, a final report shall be filed. Upon submitting a final report, the continuing political committee so intending to dissolve must file notice of intent to dissolve with the commission and the commission must post the notice on its website. (b) The continuing political committee may dissolve sixty days after it files its notice to dissolve, only if: (i) The continuing political committee does not make any expenditures other than those related to the dissolution process or engage in any political activity or any other activities that generate additional reporting requirements under this chapter after filing such notice; (ii) No complaint or court action, pursuant to this chapter, is pending against the continuing political committee; and (iii) All penalties assessed by the commission or court order have been paid by the continuing political committee. (c) The continuing political committee must continue to report regularly as required under this chapter until all the conditions under (b) of this subsection are resolved. (d) Upon dissolution, the commission must issue an acknowledgment of dissolution, the duties of the treasurer shall cease, and there shall be no further obligations under this chapter. Dissolution does not absolve the candidate or board of the committee from responsibility for any future obligations resulting from the finding after dissolution of a violation committed prior to dissolution. (5) The treasurer shall maintain books of account, current within five business days, that accurately reflect all contributions and expenditures. During the ten calendar days immediately preceding the date of any election that the committee has received any contributions or made any expenditures, the books of account shall be kept current within one business day and shall be open for public inspection in the same manner as provided for candidates and other political committees in RCW 42.17A.235 (6). (6) All reports filed pursuant to this section shall be certified as correct by the treasurer. (7) The treasurer shall preserve books of account, bills, receipts, and all other financial records of the campaign or political committee for not less than five calendar years following the year during which the transaction occurred.
RCW 42.52.175 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 175
RCW 42.52.175: Legislative nexus.
Status: in_force

(1) This section applies to legislators and employees under the jurisdiction of the legislative ethics board. (2) Legislative nexus means activities by legislators and staff having a reasonably objective connection to the legislator's or staff's official duties or to the policy or programmatic prerogatives of the legislature, or the legislative institution. In cases where legislative nexus is required for the use of state resources, activities with a per se tangible legislative nexus also include the following: (a) Communications directly pertaining to any legislative proposal which has been introduced in either chamber of the legislature; and (b) Posting information to an official legislative website or social media account about: (i) Emergencies; (ii) Federal holidays, state holidays recognized under RCW 1.16.050 , religious holidays, and generally recognized days or months of note; (iii) Information originally provided or published by other government entities which provide information about government resources; (iv) Achievements, honors, or awards of extraordinary distinction received by a constituent who has granted permission to post about the achievement, honor, or award; (v) A legislator if the information posted has a direct and tangible relationship to a legislative proposal or policy introduced in the legislature; and (vi) Commemorations or celebrations of Washington state historical events, holidays, or persons who are not current legislators.
RCW 42.56.592 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 592
RCW 42.56.592: Personal information—Covered entities.
Status: in_force

A covered entity under the federal health insurance portability and accountability act of 1996, Title 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1320d et seq., is deemed to have complied with the requirements of this chapter with respect to protected health information if it has complied with section 13402 of the federal health information technology for economic and clinical health act, P.L. 111-5 as it existed on July 24, 2015. Covered entities shall notify the attorney general pursuant to RCW 42.56.590 (7) in compliance with the timeliness of notification requirements of section 13402 of the federal health information technology for economic and clinical health act, P.L. 111-5 as it existed on July 24, 2015, notwithstanding the timeline in RCW 42.56.590 (7).
RCW 42.40.100 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 40 / Section 100
RCW 42.40.100: Assertions against auditor.
Status: in_force

A whistleblower wishing to provide information under this chapter regarding asserted improper governmental action against the state auditor or an employee of that office shall provide the information to the attorney general who shall act in place of the auditor in investigating and reporting the matter.
RCW 42.52.190 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 190
RCW 42.52.190: Investments.
Status: in_force

(1) Except for permissible investments as defined in this section, no state officer or state employee of any agency responsible for the investment of funds, who acts in a decision-making, advisory, or policy-influencing capacity with respect to investments, may have a direct or indirect interest in any property, security, equity, or debt instrument of a person, without prior written approval of the agency. (2) Agencies responsible for the investment of funds shall adopt policies governing approval of investments and establishing criteria to be considered in the approval process. Criteria shall include the relationship between the proposed investment and investments held or under consideration by the state, the size and timing of the proposed investment, access by the state officer or state employee to nonpublic information relative to the proposed investment, and the availability of the investment in the public market. Agencies responsible for the investment of funds also shall adopt policies consistent with this chapter governing use by their officers and employees of financial information acquired by virtue of their state positions. A violation of such policies adopted to implement this subsection shall constitute a violation of this chapter. (3) As used in this section, "permissible investments" means any mutual fund, deposit account, certificate of deposit, or money market fund maintained with a bank, broker, or other financial institution, a security publicly traded in an organized market if the interest in the security at acquisition is ten thousand dollars or less, or an interest in real estate, except if the real estate interest is in or with a party in whom the agency holds an investment.
RCW 42.17A.610 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 610
RCW 42.17A.610: Exemption from registration and reporting.
Status: in_force

The following persons and activities are exempt from registration and reporting under RCW 42.17A.600 , 42.17A.615 , and 42.17A.640 : (1) Persons who limit their lobbying activities to appearing before public sessions of committees of the legislature, or public hearings of state agencies; (2) Activities by lobbyists or other persons whose participation has been solicited by an agency under RCW 34.05.310 (2); (3) News or feature reporting activities and editorial comment by working members of the press, radio, digital media, or television and the publication or dissemination thereof by a newspaper, book publisher, regularly published periodical, radio station, digital platform, or television station; (4) Persons who lobby without compensation or other consideration for acting as a lobbyist, if the person makes no expenditure for or on behalf of any member of the legislature or elected official or public officer or employee of the state of Washington in connection with such lobbying. The exemption contained in this subsection is intended to permit and encourage citizens of this state to lobby any legislator, public official, or state agency without incurring any registration or reporting obligation provided they do not exceed the limits stated above. Any person exempt under this subsection (4) may at the person's option register and report under this chapter; (5) Persons who restrict their lobbying activities to no more than four days or parts of four days during any three-month period and whose total expenditures during such three-month period for or on behalf of any one or more members of the legislature or state elected officials or public officers or employees of the state of Washington in connection with such lobbying do not exceed *twenty-five dollars. The commission shall adopt rules to require disclosure by persons exempt under this subsection or their employers or entities which sponsor or coordinate the lobbying activities of such persons if it determines that such regulations are necessary to prevent frustration of the purposes of this chapter. Any person exempt under this subsection (5) may at the person's option register and report under this chapter; (6) The governor; (7) The lieutenant governor; (8) Except as provided by RCW 42.17A.635 (1), members of the legislature; (9) Except as provided by RCW 42.17A.635 (1), persons employed by the legislature for the purpose of aiding in the preparation or enactment of legislation or the performance of legislative duties; (10) Elected officials, and officers and employees of any agency reporting under RCW 42.17A.635 (5).
RCW 42.56.423 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 423
RCW 42.56.423: Cybersecurity advisory committee and technology services board security subcommittee.
Status: in_force

The reports and information, or any portions thereof, that are designated confidential by the cybersecurity advisory committee under RCW 38.52.040 (4) and the technology services board security subcommittee under RCW 43.105.291 are confidential and may not be disclosed under this chapter.
RCW 42.24.080 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 24 / Section 080
RCW 42.24.080: Municipal corporations and political subdivisions—Claims against for contractual purposes—Auditing and payment—Forms—Authentication and certification.
Status: in_force

(1) All claims presented against any county, city, district or other municipal corporation or political subdivision by persons furnishing materials, rendering services or performing labor, or for any other contractual purpose, shall be audited, before payment, by an auditing officer elected or appointed pursuant to statute or, in the absence of statute, an appropriate charter provision, ordinance or resolution of the municipal corporation or political subdivision. Such claims shall be prepared for audit and payment on a form and in the manner prescribed by the state auditor. The form shall provide for the authentication and certification by such auditing officer that the materials have been furnished, the services rendered, the labor performed as described, or that any advance payment is due and payable pursuant to a contract or is available as an option for full or partial fulfillment of a contractual obligation, and that the claim is a just, due and unpaid obligation against the municipal corporation or political subdivision. No claim shall be paid without such authentication and certification. (2) Certification as to claims of officers and employees of a county, city, district or other municipal corporation or political subdivision, for services rendered, shall be made by the person charged with preparing and submitting vouchers for payment of services. He or she shall certify that the claim is just, true and unpaid, and that certification shall be part of the voucher.
RCW 42.17A.920 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 920
RCW 42.17A.920: Local regulations not preempted—2020 c 152.
Status: in_force

Chapter 152, Laws of 2020 does not affect or modify the power of a local government to adopt an ordinance or regulation on matters governed by chapter 152, Laws of 2020.
RCW 42.17A.417 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 417
RCW 42.17A.417: Foreign nationals—Contributions, expenditures, and electioneering prohibited.
Status: in_force

(1) A foreign national may not make a contribution to any candidate or political committee, make an expenditure in support of or in opposition to any candidate or ballot measure, or sponsor political advertising or an electioneering communication. (2) A person may not make a contribution to any candidate or political committee, make an expenditure in support of or in opposition to any candidate or ballot measure, or sponsor political advertising or an electioneering communication, if: (a) The contribution, expenditure, political advertising, or electioneering communication is financed in any part by a foreign national; or (b) Foreign nationals are involved in making decisions regarding the contribution, expenditure, political advertising, or electioneering communication in any way.
RCW 42.52.390 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 390
RCW 42.52.390: Hearing and subpoena authority.
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided by law, the ethics boards may hold hearings, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, administer oaths, take the testimony of a person under oath, and in connection therewith, to require the production for examination of any books or papers relating to any matter under investigation or in question before the ethics board. The ethics board may make rules as to the issuance of subpoenas by individual members, as to service of complaints, decisions, orders, recommendations, and other process or papers of the ethics board.
RCW 42.08.160 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 08 / Section 160
RCW 42.08.160: Justification of sureties.
Status: in_force

In all cases where official bonds are required or may be hereafter required, from state, county, township, or precinct officers, the officer or officers whose duty it is or may be to approve such bonds, shall not accept or approve any such bonds except such bond be that of a surety company, unless the sureties thereon shall severally justify before an officer authorized to administer oaths as follows: (1) On a bond given by a state or county officer that he or she is a resident and freeholder within this state, and on a bond given by a township or precinct officer that he or she is a resident and freeholder within the county in which such township or precinct is situated. (2) That he or she is worth double the amount for which he or she becomes surety over and above all his or her debts and liabilities, in property situated within this state which is not exempt from seizure and sale under execution.
RCW 42.52.8023 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 8023
RCW 42.52.8023: Exemption—Gina Grant Bull memorial legislative page scholarship account.
Status: in_force

This chapter does not prohibit the secretary of the senate, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, or their designee from soliciting and accepting contributions to the Gina Grant Bull memorial legislative page scholarship account created in RCW 44.04.380 . Furthermore, this chapter does not prohibit any legislative member or legislative employee from soliciting gifts for the Gina Grant Bull memorial legislative page scholarship account.
RCW 42.24.180 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 24 / Section 180
RCW 42.24.180: Taxing district—Issuance of warrants or checks before approval by legislative body—Conditions.
Status: in_force

In order to expedite the payment of claims, the legislative body of any *taxing district, as defined in RCW 43.09.260 , may authorize the issuance of warrants or checks in payment of claims after the provisions of this chapter have been met and after the officer designated by statute, or, in the absence of statute, an appropriate charter provision, ordinance, or resolution of the *taxing district, has signed the checks or warrants, but before the legislative body has acted to approve the claims. The legislative body may stipulate that certain kinds or amounts of claims shall not be paid before the board has reviewed the supporting documentation and approved the issue of checks or warrants in payment of those claims. However, all of the following conditions shall be met before the payment: (1) The auditing officer and the officer designated to sign the checks or warrants shall each be required to furnish an official bond for the faithful discharge of his or her duties in an amount determined by the legislative body but not less than fifty thousand dollars; (2) The legislative body shall adopt contracting, hiring, purchasing, and disbursing policies that implement effective internal control; (3) The legislative body shall provide for its review of the documentation supporting claims paid and for its approval of all checks or warrants issued in payment of claims at its next regularly scheduled public meeting or, for cities and towns, at a regularly scheduled public meeting within one month of issuance; and (4) The legislative body shall require that if, upon review, it disapproves some claims, the auditing officer and the officer designated to sign the checks or warrants shall jointly cause the disapproved claims to be recognized as receivables of the *taxing district and to pursue collection diligently until the amounts disapproved are collected or until the legislative body is satisfied and approves the claims.
RCW 42.56.330 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 330
RCW 42.56.330: Public utilities and transportation.
Status: in_force

The following information relating to public utilities and transportation is exempt from disclosure under this chapter: (1) Records filed with the utilities and transportation commission or attorney general under RCW 80.04.095 or 81.77.210 that a court has determined are confidential under RCW 80.04.095 or 81.77.210 ; (2) The addresses, telephone numbers, electronic contact information, and customer-specific utility usage and billing information in increments less than a billing cycle of the customers of a public utility contained in the records or lists held by the public utility of which they are customers, except that this information may be released to the division of child support or the agency or firm providing child support enforcement for another state under Title IV-D of the federal social security act, for the establishment, enforcement, or modification of a support order; (3) The names, residential addresses, residential telephone numbers, and other individually identifiable records held by an agency in relation to a vanpool, carpool, or other ride-sharing program or service. Participants' names, general locations, and point of contact may be disclosed to other persons who apply for ride-matching services and who need that information in order to identify potential riders or drivers with whom to share rides; (4) The personally identifying information of current or former participants or applicants in a paratransit or other transit service operated for the benefit of persons with disabilities or elderly persons; (5) The personally identifying information of persons who acquire and use transit passes or other fare payment media including, but not limited to, stored value smart cards and magnetic strip cards, except that an agency may disclose personally identifying information to a person, employer, educational institution, or other entity that is responsible, in whole or in part, for payment of the cost of acquiring or using a transit pass or other fare payment media for the purpose of preventing fraud. As used in this subsection, "personally identifying information" includes acquisition or use information pertaining to a specific, individual transit pass or fare payment media. (a) Information regarding the acquisition or use of transit passes or fare payment media may be disclosed in aggregate form if the data does not contain any personally identifying information. (b) Personally identifying information may be released to law enforcement agencies if the request is accompanied by a court order; (6) Any information obtained by governmental agencies that is collected by the use of a motor carrier intelligent transportation system or any comparable information equipment attached to a truck, tractor, or trailer; however, the information may be given to other governmental agencies or the owners of the truck, tractor, or trailer from which the information is obtained. As used in this subsection, "motor carrier" has the same definition as provided in RCW 81.80.010 ; (7) The personally identifying information of persons who acquire and use transponders or other technology to facilitate payment of tolls. This information may be disclosed in aggregate form as long as the data does not contain any personally identifying information. For these purposes aggregate data may include the census tract of the account holder as long as any individual personally identifying information is not released. Personally identifying information may be released to law enforcement agencies only for toll enforcement purposes. Personally identifying information may be released to law enforcement agencies for other purposes only if the request is accompanied by a court order; (8) The personally identifying information of persons who acquire and use a driver's license or identicard that includes a radio frequency identification chip or similar technology to facilitate border crossing. This information may be disclosed in aggregate form as long as the data does not contain any personally identifying information. Personally identifying information may be released to law enforcement agencies only for United States customs and border protection enforcement purposes. Personally identifying information may be released to law enforcement agencies for other purposes only if the request is accompanied by a court order; and (9) Personally identifying information included in safety complaints submitted under chapter 81.61 RCW.
RCW 42.17A.205 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 205
RCW 42.17A.205: Statement of organization by political committees.
Status: in_force

(1) Every political committee shall file a statement of organization with the commission. The statement must be filed within two weeks after organization or within two weeks after the date the committee first has the expectation of receiving contributions or making expenditures in any election campaign, whichever is earlier. A political committee organized within the last three weeks before an election and having the expectation of receiving contributions or making expenditures during and for that election campaign shall file a statement of organization within three business days after its organization or when it first has the expectation of receiving contributions or making expenditures in the election campaign. (2) The statement of organization shall include but not be limited to: (a) The name, address, and electronic contact information of the committee; (b) The names, addresses, and electronic contact information of all related or affiliated committees or other persons, and the nature of the relationship or affiliation; (c) The names, addresses, and titles of its officers; or if it has no officers, the names, addresses, and titles of its responsible leaders; (d) The name, address, and electronic contact information of its treasurer and depository; (e) A statement whether the committee is a continuing one; (f) The name, office sought, and party affiliation of each candidate whom the committee is supporting or opposing, and, if the committee is supporting the entire ticket of any party, the name of the party; (g) The ballot proposition concerned, if any, and whether the committee is in favor of or opposed to such proposition; (h) What distribution of surplus funds will be made, in accordance with RCW 42.17A.430 , in the event of dissolution; (i) Such other information as the commission may by rule prescribe, in keeping with the policies and purposes of this chapter; (j) The name, address, and title of any person who authorizes expenditures or makes decisions on behalf of the candidate or committee; and (k) The name, address, and title of any person who is paid by or is a volunteer for a candidate or political committee to perform ministerial functions and who performs ministerial functions on behalf of two or more candidates or committees. (3) No two political committees may have the same name. (4) Any material change in information previously submitted in a statement of organization shall be reported to the commission within the ten days following the change. (5) As used in this section, the "name" of a sponsored committee must include the name of the person who is the sponsor of the committee. If more than one person meets the definition of sponsor, the name of the committee must include the name of at least one sponsor, but may include the names of other sponsors. A person may sponsor only one political committee for the same elected office or same ballot proposition per election cycle.
RCW 42.16.040 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 16 / Section 040
RCW 42.16.040: Official fees payable in advance.
Status: in_force

All fees are invariably due in advance where demanded by the officer required to perform any official act, and no officer shall be required to perform any official act unless his or her fees are paid when he or she demands the same: PROVIDED, This section shall not apply when the officer performs any official act for his or her county or the state.Every person elected to county office shall before he or she enters upon the duties of his or her office take and subscribe an oath or affirmation that he or she will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of his or her office to the best of his or her ability. This oath, or affirmation, shall be administered and certified by an officer authorized to administer oaths, without charge therefor.
RCW 42.17A.910 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 910
RCW 42.17A.910: Effective date—1995 c 397.
Status: in_force

Sections 1 through 32, 34, and 37 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1995.
RCW 42.56.141 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 141
RCW 42.56.141: Public records exemptions accountability committee—Wolf depredation information exemption.
Status: in_force

By December 1, 2021, the public records exemptions accountability committee, in addition to its duties in RCW 42.56.140 , must prepare and submit a report to the legislature that includes recommendations on whether the exemptions created in section 1, chapter 246, Laws of 2017 should be continued or allowed to expire. The report should focus on whether the exemption continues to serve the intent of the legislature in section 1, chapter 246, Laws of 2017 to provide protections of personal information during the period the state establishes and implements new policies regarding wolf management. The committee must consider whether the development of wolf management policy, by the time of the report, has diminished risks of threats to personal safety so that the protection of personal information in section 1, chapter 246, Laws of 2017 is no longer an ongoing necessity.
RCW 42.17A.200 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 200
RCW 42.17A.200: Application of chapter—Exceptions.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter relating to the financing of election campaigns shall apply in all election campaigns other than (1) for precinct committee officer; (2) for a federal elective office; and (3) for an office of a political subdivision of the state that does not encompass a whole county and that contains fewer than five thousand registered voters as of the date of the most recent general election in the subdivision, unless required by RCW 42.17A.135 (2) through (5) and (7).
RCW 42.17A.560 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 560
RCW 42.17A.560: Time limit for state official to solicit or accept contributions.
Status: in_force

(1) During the period beginning on the thirtieth day before the date a regular legislative session convenes and continuing through the date of final adjournment, and during the period beginning on the date a special legislative session convenes and continuing through the date that session adjourns, no state official or a person employed by or acting on behalf of a state official or state legislator may solicit or accept contributions to a public office fund, to a candidate or authorized committee, or to retire a campaign debt. Contributions received through the mail after the thirtieth day before a regular legislative session may be accepted if the contribution is postmarked prior to the thirtieth day before the session. (2) This section does not apply to activities authorized in RCW 43.07.370 .
RCW 42.30.010 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 30 / Section 010
RCW 42.30.010: Legislative declaration.
Status: in_force

The legislature finds and declares that all public commissions, boards, councils, committees, subcommittees, departments, divisions, offices, and all other public agencies of this state and subdivisions thereof exist to aid in the conduct of the people's business. It is the intent of this chapter that their actions be taken openly and that their deliberations be conducted openly. The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed and informing the people's public servants of their views so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created. For these reasons, even when not required by law, public agencies are encouraged to incorporate and accept public comment during their decision-making process.
RCW 42.30.130 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 30 / Section 130
RCW 42.30.130: Violations—Mandamus or injunction.
Status: in_force

Any person may commence an action either by mandamus or injunction for the purpose of stopping violations or preventing threatened violations of this chapter by members of a governing body.
RCW 42.17A.400 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 400
RCW 42.17A.400: Findings—Intent.
Status: in_force

(1) The people of the state of Washington find and declare that: (a) The financial strength of certain individuals or organizations should not permit them to exercise a disproportionate or controlling influence on the election of candidates. (b) Rapidly increasing political campaign costs have led many candidates to raise larger percentages of money from special interests with a specific financial stake in matters before state government. This has caused the public perception that decisions of elected officials are being improperly influenced by monetary contributions. (c) Candidates are raising less money in small contributions from individuals and more money from special interests. This has created the public perception that individuals have an insignificant role to play in the political process. (2) By limiting campaign contributions, the people intend to: (a) Ensure that individuals and interest groups have fair and equal opportunity to influence elective and governmental processes; (b) Reduce the influence of large organizational contributors; and (c) Restore public trust in governmental institutions and the electoral process.
RCW 42.17A.565 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 565
RCW 42.17A.565: Solicitation of contributions by public officials or employees.
Status: in_force

(1) No state or local official or state or local official's agent may knowingly solicit, directly or indirectly, a contribution to a candidate for public office, political party, or political committee from an employee in the state or local official's agency. (2) No state or local official or public employee may provide an advantage or disadvantage to an employee or applicant for employment in the classified civil service concerning the applicant's or employee's: (a) Employment; (b) Conditions of employment; or (c) Application for employment, based on the employee's or applicant's contribution or promise to contribute or failure to make a contribution or contribute to a political party or political committee.
RCW 42.56.290 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 290
RCW 42.56.290: Agency party to controversy.
Status: in_force

Records that are relevant to a controversy to which an agency is a party but which records would not be available to another party under the rules of pretrial discovery for causes pending in the superior courts are exempt from disclosure under this chapter.
RCW 42.52.575 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 575
RCW 42.52.575: Information about scholarship opportunities.
Status: in_force

This chapter does not prohibit the department of labor and industries from providing information about scholarship opportunities offered by nonprofit organizations and available to children and spouses of workers who suffered an injury in the course of employment resulting in death or permanent total disability. The department of labor and industries may, in its sole discretion, provide information about one or more scholarship opportunities. The cost of printing and inserting materials, any additional mailing costs, and any other related costs must be borne by the scholarship organization.
RCW 42.56.395 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 395
RCW 42.56.395: Affordable housing occupants and tenants.
Status: in_force

Information obtained by the department of commerce under chapter 43.185A RCW during monitoring activities or contract administration that reveals the name or other personal information of occupants or prospective tenants of affordable housing, or the street address of the residential real property occupied or applied for by tenants or prospective tenants of affordable housing, is exempt from disclosure under this chapter.
RCW 42.17A.135 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 135
RCW 42.17A.135: Application of reporting requirements in small political subdivisions.
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in subsections (2), (3), and (7) of this section, the reporting provisions of this chapter do not apply to: (a) Candidates, elected officials, and agencies in political subdivisions with fewer than two thousand registered voters as of the date of the most recent general election in the jurisdiction; (b) Political committees formed to support or oppose candidates or ballot propositions in such political subdivisions; or (c) Persons making independent expenditures in support of or opposition to such ballot propositions. (2) The reporting provisions of this chapter apply in any exempt political subdivision from which a "petition for disclosure" containing the valid signatures of fifteen percent of the number of registered voters, as of the date of the most recent general election in the political subdivision, is filed with the commission. The commission shall by rule prescribe the form of the petition. After the signatures are gathered, the petition shall be presented to the auditor or elections officer of the county, or counties, in which the political subdivision is located. The auditor or elections officer shall verify the signatures and certify to the commission that the petition contains no less than the required number of valid signatures. The commission, upon receipt of a valid petition, shall order every known affected person in the political subdivision to file the initially required statement and reports within fourteen days of the date of the order. (3) The reporting provisions of this chapter apply in any exempt political subdivision that by ordinance, resolution, or other official action has petitioned the commission to make the provisions applicable to elected officials and candidates of the exempt political subdivision. A copy of the action shall be sent to the commission. If the commission finds the petition to be a valid action of the appropriate governing body or authority, the commission shall order every known affected person in the political subdivision to file the initially required statement and reports within fourteen days of the date of the order. (4) The commission shall void any order issued by it pursuant to subsection (2) or (3) of this section when, at least four years after issuing the order, the commission is presented a petition or official action so requesting from the affected political subdivision. Such petition or official action shall meet the respective requirements of subsection (2) or (3) of this section. (5) Any petition for disclosure, ordinance, resolution, or official action of an agency petitioning the commission to void the exemption in RCW 42.17A.200 (3) shall not be considered unless it has been filed with the commission: (a) In the case of a ballot proposition, at least sixty days before the date of any election in which campaign finance reporting is to be required; (b) In the case of a candidate, at least sixty days before the first day on which a person may file a declaration of candidacy for any election in which campaign finance reporting is to be required. (6) Any person exempted from reporting under this chapter may at the person's option file the statement and reports. (7) The reporting provisions of this chapter apply to a candidate in any political subdivision if the candidate receives or expects to receive five thousand dollars or more in contributions.
RCW 42.52.550 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 550
RCW 42.52.550: Compensation of ethics boards.
Status: in_force

The citizen members of the legislative ethics board and the members of the executive ethics board shall be compensated as provided in RCW 43.03.250 and reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060 . Legislator members of the legislative ethics board shall be reimbursed as provided in RCW 44.04.120 .
RCW 42.52.540 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 540
RCW 42.52.540: Limitations period.
Status: in_force

Any action taken under this chapter must be commenced within five years from the date of the violation. However, if it is shown that the violation was not discovered because of concealment by the person charged, then the action must be commenced within two years from the date the violation was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered: (1) By any person with direct or indirect supervisory responsibilities over the person who allegedly committed the violation; or (2) if no person has direct or indirect supervisory authority over the person who committed the violation, by the appropriate ethics board.
RCW 42.40.010 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 40 / Section 010
RCW 42.40.010: Policy.
Status: in_force

It is the policy of the legislature that employees should be encouraged to disclose, to the extent not expressly prohibited by law, improper governmental actions, and it is the intent of the legislature to protect the rights of state employees making these disclosures, regardless of whether an investigation is initiated under RCW 42.40.040 . It is also the policy of the legislature that employees should be encouraged to identify rules warranting review or provide information to the rules review committee, and it is the intent of the legislature to protect the rights of these employees.
RCW 42.56.680 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 680
RCW 42.56.680: Residential real property information and borrower personal information.
Status: in_force

Information obtained by the department of commerce under RCW 61.24.190 that reveals the name or other personal information of the borrower or the street address of the residential real property on which a notice of default was issued is exempt from disclosure under this chapter.
RCW 42.41.045 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 41 / Section 045
RCW 42.41.045: Prohibition on intimidation of whistleblower—Nondisclosure of protected information.
Status: in_force

(1) A local government official or employee may not use his or her official authority or influence, directly or indirectly, to threaten, intimidate, or coerce an employee for the purpose of interfering with that employee's right to disclose information concerning an improper governmental action in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. (2) Nothing in this section authorizes an individual to disclose information prohibited by law.
RCW 42.56.430 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 430
RCW 42.56.430: Fish and wildlife.
Status: in_force

The following information relating to fish and wildlife is exempt from disclosure under this chapter: (1) Commercial fishing catch data from logbooks required to be provided to the department of fish and wildlife under RCW 77.12.047 , when the data identifies specific catch location, timing, or methodology and the release of which would result in unfair competitive disadvantage to the commercial fisher providing the catch data, however, this information may be released to government agencies concerned with the management of fish and wildlife resources; (2) Sensitive fish and wildlife data. Sensitive fish and wildlife data may be released to the following entities and their agents for fish, wildlife, land management purposes, or scientific research needs: Government agencies, public utilities, and accredited colleges and universities. Sensitive fish and wildlife data may be released to tribal governments. Sensitive fish and wildlife data may also be released to the owner, lessee, or right-of-way or easement holder of the private land to which the data pertains. The release of sensitive fish and wildlife data must be subject to a confidentiality agreement, except upon release of sensitive fish and wildlife data to the owner, lessee, or right-of-way or easement holder of private land who initially provided the data. Sensitive fish and wildlife data does not include data related to reports of predatory wildlife as specified in RCW 77.12.885 . Sensitive fish and wildlife data must meet at least one of the following criteria of this subsection as applied by the department of fish and wildlife: (a) The nesting sites or specific locations of endangered species designated under RCW 77.12.020 , or threatened or sensitive species classified by rule of the department of fish and wildlife; (b) Radio frequencies used in, or locational data generated by, telemetry studies; or (c) Other location data that could compromise the viability of a specific fish or wildlife population, and where at least one of the following criteria are met: (i) The species has a known commercial or black market value; (ii) There is a history of malicious take of that species and the species behavior or ecology renders it especially vulnerable; (iii) There is a known demand to visit, take, or disturb the species; or (iv) The species has an extremely limited distribution and concentration; (3) The following information regarding any damage prevention cooperative agreement, or nonlethal preventative measures deployed to minimize wolf interactions with pets and livestock: (a) The name, telephone number, residential address, and other personally identifying information of any person who has a current damage prevention cooperative agreement with the department, including a pet or livestock owner, and his or her employees or immediate family members, who agrees to deploy, or is responsible for the deployment of, nonlethal, preventative measures; and (b) The legal description or name of any residential property, ranch, or farm, that is owned, leased, or used by any person included in (a) of this subsection; (4) The following information regarding a reported depredation by wolves on pets or livestock: (a) The name, telephone number, residential address, and other personally identifying information of: (i) Any person who reported the depredation; (ii) Any pet or livestock owner, and his or her employees or immediate family members, whose pet or livestock was the subject of a reported depredation; and (iii) Any department of fish and wildlife employee, range rider contractor, or trapper contractor who directly: (A) Responds to a depredation; or (B) Assists in the lethal removal of a wolf; and (b) The legal description, location coordinates, or name that identifies any residential property, or ranch or farm that contains a residence, that is owned, leased, or used by any person included in (a) of this subsection; (5) The personally identifying information of persons who acquire recreational licenses under RCW 77.32.010 or commercial licenses under chapter 77.65 or 77.70 RCW, except name, address of contact used by the department, and type of license, endorsement, or tag; however, the department of fish and wildlife may disclose personally identifying information to: (a) Government agencies concerned with the management of fish and wildlife resources; (b) The department of social and health services, child support division, and to the department of licensing in order to implement RCW 77.32.014 and 46.20.291 ; and (c) Law enforcement agencies for the purpose of firearm possession enforcement under RCW 9.41.040 ; (6)(a) Information that the department of fish and wildlife has received or accessed but may not disclose due to confidentiality requirements in the Magnuson-Stevens fishery conservation and management reauthorization act of 2006 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1861(h)(3) and (i), and Sec. 1881a(b)); and (b) Fisheries-related information that was collected by another state and is confidential under the laws of that state; (7) The following tribal fish and shellfish harvest information, shared with the department of fish and wildlife: (a) Fisher name; (b) Fisher signature; (c) Total harvest value per species; (d) Total harvest value; (e) Price per pound; and (f) Tribal tax information; and (8) The following commercial shellfish harvest information, shared with the department of fish and wildlife: (a) Individual farmer name; (b) Individual farmer signature; (c) Total harvest value per species; (d) Total harvest value; (e) Price per pound; and (f) Tax information.
RCW 42.14.900 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 14 / Section 900
RCW 42.14.900: Short title.
Status: in_force

This act shall be known as the "continuity of government act."
RCW 42.52.380 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 380
RCW 42.52.380: Political activities of board members.
Status: in_force

(1) No member of the executive ethics board may (a) hold or campaign for partisan elective office other than the position of precinct committeeperson, or any full-time nonpartisan office; (b) be an officer of any political party or political committee as defined in chapter 42.17A RCW other than the position of precinct committeeperson; (c) permit his or her name to be used, or make contributions, in support of or in opposition to any state candidate or state ballot measure; or (d) lobby or control, direct, or assist a lobbyist except that such member may appear before any committee of the legislature on matters pertaining to this chapter. (2) No citizen member of the legislative ethics board may (a) hold or campaign for partisan elective office other than the position of precinct committeeperson, or any full-time nonpartisan office; (b) be an officer of any political party or political committee as defined in chapter 42.17A RCW, other than the position of precinct committeeperson; (c) permit his or her name to be used, or make contributions, in support of or in opposition to any legislative candidate, any legislative caucus campaign committee that supports or opposes legislative candidates, or any political action committee that supports or opposes legislative candidates; or (d) engage in lobbying in the legislative branch under circumstances not exempt, under RCW 42.17A.610 , from lobbyist registration and reporting. (3) No citizen member of the legislative ethics board may hold or campaign for a seat in the state house of representatives or the state senate within two years of serving on the board if the citizen member opposes an incumbent who has been the respondent in a complaint before the board.
RCW 42.17A.550 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 550
RCW 42.17A.550: Use of public funds for political purposes.
Status: in_force

Public funds, whether derived through taxes, fees, penalties, or any other sources, shall not be used to finance political campaigns for state or school district office. A county, city, town, or district that establishes a program to publicly finance local political campaigns may only use funds derived from local sources to fund the program. A local government must submit any proposal for public financing of local political campaigns to voters for their adoption and approval or rejection.
RCW 42.56.530 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 530
RCW 42.56.530: Review of agency denial.
Status: in_force

Whenever a state agency concludes that a public record is exempt from disclosure and denies a person opportunity to inspect or copy a public record for that reason, the person may request the attorney general to review the matter. The attorney general shall provide the person with his or her written opinion on whether the record is exempt. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to establish an attorney-client relationship between the attorney general and a person making a request under this section.
RCW 42.12.070 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 12 / Section 070
RCW 42.12.070: Filling nonpartisan vacancies.
Status: in_force

A vacancy on an elected nonpartisan governing body of a qualifying special purpose district, a town, or a city other than a first-class city or a charter code city, shall be filled as follows unless the provisions of law relating to the qualifying special purpose district, town, or city provide otherwise: (1) Where one position is vacant, the remaining members of the governing body shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacant position. (2) Where two or more positions are vacant and two or more members of the governing body remain in office, the remaining members of the governing body shall appoint a qualified person to fill one of the vacant positions, the remaining members of the governing body and the newly appointed person shall appoint another qualified person to fill another vacant position, and so on until each of the vacant positions is filled with each of the new appointees participating in each appointment that is made after his or her appointment. (3) If less than two members of a governing body remain in office, the county legislative authority of the county in which all or the largest geographic portion of the city, town, or qualifying special purpose district is located shall appoint a qualified person or persons to the governing body until the governing body has two members. (4) If a governing body fails to appoint a qualified person to fill a vacancy within ninety days of the occurrence of the vacancy, the authority of the governing body to fill the vacancy shall cease and the county legislative authority of the county in which all or the largest geographic portion of the city, town, or qualifying special purpose district is located shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy. (5) If the county legislative authority of the county fails to appoint a qualified person within one hundred eighty days of the occurrence of the vacancy, the county legislative authority or the remaining members of the governing body of the city, town, or qualifying special purpose district may petition the governor to appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy. The governor may appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy after being petitioned if at the time the governor fills the vacancy the county legislative authority has not appointed a qualified person to fill the vacancy. (6) As provided in chapter 29A.24 RCW, each person who is appointed shall serve until a qualified person is elected at the next election at which a member of the governing body normally would be elected. The person elected shall take office immediately and serve the remainder of the unexpired term. (7) For purposes of this section, "qualifying special purpose district" means a fire protection district created under chapter 52.02 RCW with assessed values under $5,000,000,000 and a regional fire protection service authority created under chapter 52.26 RCW with assessed values under $5,000,000,000.
RCW 42.40.030 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 40 / Section 030
RCW 42.40.030: Right to disclose improper governmental actions—Interference prohibited.
Status: in_force

(1) An employee shall not directly or indirectly use or attempt to use the employee's official authority or influence for the purpose of intimidating, threatening, coercing, commanding, influencing, or attempting to intimidate, threaten, coerce, command, or influence any individual for the purpose of interfering with the right of the individual to: (a) Disclose to the auditor (or representative thereof) or other public official, as defined in RCW 42.40.020 , information concerning improper governmental action; or (b) identify rules warranting review or provide information to the rules review committee. (2) Nothing in this section authorizes an individual to disclose information otherwise prohibited by law, except to the extent that information is necessary to substantiate the whistleblower complaint, in which case information may be disclosed to the auditor or public official, as defined in RCW 42.40.020 , by the whistleblower for the limited purpose of providing information related to the complaint. Any information provided to the auditor or public official under the authority of this subsection may not be further disclosed.
RCW 42.52.440 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 440
RCW 42.52.440: Review of order.
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided by law, reconsideration or judicial review of an ethics board's order that a violation of this chapter or rules adopted under it has occurred shall be governed by the provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW applicable to review of adjudicative proceedings.
RCW 42.52.370 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 370
RCW 42.52.370: Authority of commission on judicial conduct.
Status: in_force

The commission on judicial conduct shall enforce this chapter and rules adopted under it with respect to state officers and employees of the judicial branch and may do so according to procedures prescribed in Article IV, section 31 of the state Constitution. In addition to the sanctions authorized in Article IV, section 31 of the state Constitution, the commission may impose sanctions authorized by this chapter.
RCW 42.17A.485 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 485
RCW 42.17A.485: Reimbursement for contributions.
Status: in_force

A person may not, directly or indirectly, reimburse another person for a contribution to a candidate for public office, political committee, or political party.
RCW 42.17A.620 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 620
RCW 42.17A.620: Notification to person named in report.
Status: in_force

(1) When a listing or a report of contributions is made to the commission under RCW 42.17A.615 (2)(c), a copy of the listing or report must be given to the candidate, elected official, professional employee of the legislature, or officer or employee of an agency, or a political committee supporting or opposing a ballot proposition named in the listing or report. (2) If a state elected official or a member of the official's immediate family is identified by a lobbyist in a lobbyist report as having received from the lobbyist an item specified in RCW 42.52.150 (7) or 42.52.150 (1)(c) (iv) or (vi) [RCW 42.52.150 (7) or (1)(c) (iv) or (vi)], the lobbyist shall transmit to the official a copy of the completed form used to identify the item in the report at the same time the report is filed with the commission.
RCW 42.17A.110 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 110
RCW 42.17A.110: Commission—Additional powers.
Status: in_force

In addition to the duties in RCW 42.17A.105 , the commission may: (1) Adopt, amend, and rescind suitable administrative rules to carry out the policies and purposes of this chapter, which rules shall be adopted under chapter 34.05 RCW. Any rule relating to campaign finance, political advertising, or related forms that would otherwise take effect after June 30th of a general election year shall take effect no earlier than the day following the general election in that year; (2) Appoint an executive director and set, within the limits established by the office of financial management under RCW 43.03.028 , the executive director's compensation. The executive director shall perform such duties and have such powers as the commission may prescribe and delegate to implement and enforce this chapter efficiently and effectively. The commission shall not delegate its authority to adopt, amend, or rescind rules nor may it delegate authority to determine that a violation of this chapter has occurred or to assess penalties for such violations; (3) Prepare and publish reports and technical studies as in its judgment will tend to promote the purposes of this chapter, including reports and statistics concerning campaign financing, lobbying, financial interests of elected officials, and enforcement of this chapter; (4) Conduct, as it deems appropriate, audits and field investigations; (5) Make public the time and date of any formal hearing set to determine whether a violation has occurred, the question or questions to be considered, and the results thereof; (6) Administer oaths and affirmations, issue subpoenas, and compel attendance, take evidence, and require the production of any records relevant to any investigation authorized under this chapter, or any other proceeding under this chapter; (7) Adopt a code of fair campaign practices; (8) Adopt rules relieving candidates or political committees of obligations to comply with election campaign provisions of this chapter, if they have not received contributions nor made expenditures in connection with any election campaign of more than *five thousand dollars; (9) Develop and provide to filers a system for certification of reports required under this chapter which are transmitted electronically to the commission. Implementation of the program is contingent on the availability of funds; and (10) Make available and keep current on its website a glossary of all defined terms in this chapter and in rules adopted by the commission.
RCW 42.17A.495 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 495
RCW 42.17A.495: Limitations on employers or labor organizations.
Status: in_force

(1) No employer or labor organization may increase the salary of an officer or employee, or compensate an officer, employee, or other person or entity, with the intention that the increase in salary, or the compensation, or a part of it, be contributed or spent to support or oppose a candidate, state official against whom recall charges have been filed, political party, or political committee. (2) No employer or labor organization may discriminate against an officer or employee in the terms or conditions of employment for (a) the failure to contribute to, (b) the failure in any way to support or oppose, or (c) in any way supporting or opposing a candidate, ballot proposition, political party, or political committee. At least annually, an employee from whom wages or salary are withheld under subsection (3) of this section shall be notified of the provisions of this subsection. (3) No employer or other person or entity responsible for the disbursement of funds in payment of wages or salaries may withhold or divert a portion of an employee's wages or salaries for contributions to political committees or for use as political contributions except upon the written request of the employee. The request must be made on a form prescribed by the commission informing the employee of the prohibition against employer and labor organization discrimination described in subsection (2) of this section. The employee may revoke the request at any time. At least annually, the employee shall be notified about the right to revoke the request. (4) Each person or entity who withholds contributions under subsection (3) of this section shall maintain open for public inspection for a period of no less than three years, during normal business hours, documents and books of accounts that shall include a copy of each employee's request, the amounts and dates funds were actually withheld, and the amounts and dates funds were transferred to a political committee. Copies of such information shall be delivered to the commission upon request.
RCW 42.52.360 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 360
RCW 42.52.360: Authority of executive ethics board.
Status: in_force

(1) The executive ethics board shall enforce this chapter and rules adopted under it with respect to statewide elected officers and all other officers and employees in the executive branch, boards and commissions, and institutions of higher education. (2) The executive ethics board shall enforce this chapter with regard to the activities of institution of higher education faculty and research employees as provided in this subsection. (a) With respect to compliance with RCW 42.52.030 , 42.52.110 , 42.52.130 , * 42.52.140 , and 42.52.150 , the administrative process for university research employees shall be consistent with and adhere to no less than the current standards in regulations of the United States public health service and the office of the secretary of the department of health and human services in Title 42 C.F.R. Part 50, Subpart F relating to promotion of objectivity in research. (b) With respect to compliance with RCW 42.52.040 , 42.52.080 , and 42.52.120 , the administrative process shall include a comprehensive system for the disclosure, review, and approval of outside work activities by institution of higher education faculty and research employees while assuring that such employees are fulfilling their employment obligations to the institution of higher education. (c) With respect to compliance with RCW 42.52.160 , the administrative process shall include reasonable determinations by the institution of higher education of: (i) Acceptable private uses having de minimis costs to the institution of higher education and a method for establishing fair and reasonable reimbursement charges for private uses the costs of which are in excess of de minimis; and (ii) Acceptable private uses having more than de minimis costs to the institution of higher education, but which are performed as part of the faculty or research employee's duties or job requirements. (3) The executive ethics board shall: (a) Develop educational materials and training; (b) Adopt rules and policies governing the conduct of business by the board, and adopt rules defining working hours for purposes of RCW 42.52.180 and where otherwise authorized under chapter 154, Laws of 1994; (c) Issue advisory opinions; (d) Investigate, hear, and determine complaints by any person or on its own motion; (e) Impose sanctions including reprimands and monetary penalties; (f) Recommend to the appropriate authorities suspension, removal from position, prosecution, or other appropriate remedy; and (g) Establish criteria regarding the levels of civil penalties appropriate for violations of this chapter and rules adopted under it. (4) The board may: (a) Issue subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of documentary evidence relating to any matter under examination by the board or involved in any hearing; (b) Administer oaths and affirmations; (c) Examine witnesses; and (d) Receive evidence. (5) The board shall not delegate to the board's executive director its authority to issue advisories, advisory letters, or opinions. (6) Except as provided in RCW 42.52.220 , the executive ethics board may review and approve agency policies as provided for in this chapter. (7) This section does not apply to state officers and state employees of the judicial branch.
RCW 42.30.240 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 30 / Section 240
RCW 42.30.240: Public comment.
Status: in_force

(1) Except in an emergency situation, the governing body of a public agency shall provide an opportunity at or before every regular meeting at which final action is taken for public comment. The public comment required under this section may be taken orally at a public meeting, or by providing an opportunity for written testimony to be submitted before or at the meeting. If the governing body accepts written testimony, this testimony must be distributed to the governing body. The governing body may set a reasonable deadline for the submission of written testimony before the meeting. (2) Upon the request of any individual who will have difficulty attending a meeting of the governing body of a public agency by reason of disability, limited mobility, or for any other reason that makes physical attendance at a meeting difficult, the governing body shall, when feasible, provide an opportunity for that individual to provide oral comment at the meeting remotely if oral comment from other members of the public will be accepted at the meeting. (3) Nothing in this section prevents a governing body from allowing public comment on items not on the meeting agenda. (4) Nothing in this section diminishes the authority of governing bodies to deal with interruptions under RCW 42.30.050 , limits the ability of the governing body to put limitations on the time available for public comment or on how public comment is accepted, or requires a governing body to accept public comment that renders orderly conduct of the meeting unfeasible.
RCW 42.41.030 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 41 / Section 030
RCW 42.41.030: Right to report improper governmental action—Policies and procedures.
Status: in_force

(1) Every local government employee has the right to report to the appropriate person or persons information concerning an alleged improper governmental action. (2) The governing body or chief administrative officer of each local government shall adopt a policy on the appropriate procedures to follow for reporting such information and shall provide information to their employees on the policy. Local governments are encouraged to consult with their employees on the policy. (3) The policy shall describe the appropriate person or persons within the local government to whom to report information and a list of appropriate person or persons outside the local government to whom to report. The list shall include the county prosecuting attorney. (4) Each local government shall permanently post a summary of the procedures for reporting information on an alleged improper governmental action and the procedures for protection against retaliatory actions described in RCW 42.41.040 in a place where all employees will have reasonable access to it. A copy of the summary shall be made available to any employee upon request. (5) A local government may require as part of its policy that, except in the case of an emergency, before an employee provides information of an improper governmental action to a person or an entity who is not a public official or a person listed pursuant to subsection (3) of this section, the employee shall submit a written report to the local government. Where a local government has adopted such a policy under this section, an employee who fails to make a good faith attempt to follow the policy shall not receive the protections of this chapter. (6) If a local government has failed to adopt a policy as required by subsection (2) of this section, an employee may report alleged improper government action directly to the county prosecuting attorney or, if the prosecuting attorney or an employee of the prosecuting attorney participated in the alleged improper government action, to the state auditor. The cost incurred by the state auditor in such investigations shall be paid by the local government through the municipal revolving account authorized in RCW 43.09.282 . (7) The identity of a reporting employee shall be kept confidential to the extent possible under law, unless the employee authorizes the disclosure of his or her identity in writing.
RCW 42.26.040 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 26 / Section 040
RCW 42.26.040: Petty cash accounts—Authorized—Advancements.
Status: in_force

The state treasurer is authorized to advance moneys from treasury funds to state agencies for the purpose of establishing petty cash accounts. Any agency may petition the office of financial management for the establishment of a petty cash account. The maximum amount of such accounts shall be based on the special needs of the petitioning agency and shall be subject to approval by the office of financial management. The amount so advanced shall be reflected in the state treasurer's accounts as an amount due from the agency to the fund or account from which the advance was made.
RCW 42.17A.919 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 919
RCW 42.17A.919: Effective date—2011 c 60.
Status: in_force

This act takes effect January 1, 2012.
RCW 42.24.035 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 24 / Section 035
RCW 42.24.035: Payment for postage, books, and periodicals.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 42.24 RCW or any other existing statute, school districts and other public agencies including but not limited to state agencies and municipal corporations which are expressly or by necessary implication authorized to subscribe to magazines or other periodical publications or books or to purchase postage or publications from the United States government or any other publisher may make payment of the costs of such purchases in a manner as consistent as possible and practicable with normal and usual business methods, and in the case of subscriptions, for periods not in excess of three years.
RCW 42.17A.335 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 335
RCW 42.17A.335: Political advertising or electioneering communication—Libel or defamation per se.
Status: in_force

(1) It is a violation of this chapter for a person to sponsor with actual malice a statement constituting libel or defamation per se under the following circumstances: (a) Political advertising or an electioneering communication that contains a false statement of material fact about a candidate for public office; (b) Political advertising or an electioneering communication that falsely represents that a candidate is the incumbent for the office sought when in fact the candidate is not the incumbent; (c) Political advertising or an electioneering communication that makes either directly or indirectly, a false claim stating or implying the support or endorsement of any person or organization when in fact the candidate does not have such support or endorsement. (2) For the purposes of this section, "libel or defamation per se" means statements that tend (a) to expose a living person to hatred, contempt, ridicule, or obloquy, or to deprive him or her of the benefit of public confidence or social intercourse, or to injure him or her in his or her business or occupation, or (b) to injure any person, corporation, or association in his, her, or its business or occupation. (3) It is not a violation of this section for a candidate or his or her agent to make statements described in subsection (1)(a) or (b) of this section about the candidate himself or herself because a person cannot defame himself or herself. It is not a violation of this section for a person or organization referenced in subsection (1)(c) of this section to make a statement about that person or organization because such persons and organizations cannot defame themselves. (4) Any violation of this section shall be proven by clear and convincing evidence. If a violation is proven, damages are presumed and do not need to be proven.
RCW 42.45.160 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 45 / Section 160
RCW 42.45.160: Stamping device—Security.
Status: in_force

(1) A notary public is responsible for the security of the notary public's stamping device and may not allow another individual to use the device to perform a notarial act. On resignation from, or the revocation or expiration of, the notary public's commission, or on the expiration of the date set forth in the stamping device, the notary public shall disable the stamping device by destroying, defacing, damaging, erasing, or securing it against use in a manner that renders it unusable. On the death or adjudication of incompetency of a notary public, the notary public's personal representative or guardian or any other person knowingly in possession of the stamping device shall render it unusable by destroying, defacing, damaging, erasing, or securing it against use in a manner that renders it unusable. (2) The seal or stamp should be kept in a locked and secured area, under the direct and exclusive control of the notary public. If a notary public's stamping device is lost or stolen, the notary public or the notary public's personal representative or guardian shall notify promptly the department on discovering that the device is lost or stolen. Any replacement device must contain a variance from the lost or stolen seal or stamp.
RCW 42.30.110 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 30 / Section 110
RCW 42.30.110: Executive sessions.
Status: in_force

(1) Nothing contained in this chapter may be construed to prevent a governing body from holding an executive session during a regular or special meeting: (a)(i) To consider matters affecting national security; (ii) To consider, if in compliance with any required data security breach disclosure under RCW 19.255.010 and 42.56.590 , and with legal counsel available, information regarding the infrastructure and security of computer and telecommunications networks, security and service recovery plans, security risk assessments and security test results to the extent that they identify specific system vulnerabilities, and other information that if made public may increase the risk to the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of agency security or to information technology infrastructure or assets; (b) To consider the selection of a site or the acquisition of real estate by lease or purchase when public knowledge regarding such consideration would cause a likelihood of increased price; (c) To consider the minimum price at which real estate will be offered for sale or lease when public knowledge regarding such consideration would cause a likelihood of decreased price. However, final action selling or leasing public property shall be taken in a meeting open to the public; (d) To review negotiations on the performance of publicly bid contracts when public knowledge regarding such consideration would cause a likelihood of increased costs; (e) To consider, in the case of an export trading company, financial and commercial information supplied by private persons to the export trading company; (f) To receive and evaluate complaints or charges brought against a public officer or employee. However, upon the request of such officer or employee, a public hearing or a meeting open to the public shall be conducted upon such complaint or charge; (g) To evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment or to review the performance of a public employee. However, subject to RCW 42.30.140 (4), discussion by a governing body of salaries, wages, and other conditions of employment to be generally applied within the agency shall occur in a meeting open to the public, and when a governing body elects to take final action hiring, setting the salary of an individual employee or class of employees, or discharging or disciplining an employee, that action shall be taken in a meeting open to the public; (h) To evaluate the qualifications of a candidate for appointment to elective office. However, any interview of such candidate and final action appointing a candidate to elective office shall be in a meeting open to the public; (i) To discuss with legal counsel representing the agency matters relating to agency enforcement actions, or to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency litigation or potential litigation to which the agency, the governing body, or a member acting in an official capacity is, or is likely to become, a party, when public knowledge regarding the discussion is likely to result in an adverse legal or financial consequence to the agency. This subsection (1)(i) does not permit a governing body to hold an executive session solely because an attorney representing the agency is present. For purposes of this subsection (1)(i), "potential litigation" means matters protected by RPC 1.6 or RCW 5.60.060 (2)(a) concerning: (i) Litigation that has been specifically threatened to which the agency, the governing body, or a member acting in an official capacity is, or is likely to become, a party; (ii) Litigation that the agency reasonably believes may be commenced by or against the agency, the governing body, or a member acting in an official capacity; or (iii) Litigation or legal risks of a proposed action or current practice that the agency has identified when public discussion of the litigation or legal risks is likely to result in an adverse legal or financial consequence to the agency; (j) To consider, in the case of the state library commission or its advisory bodies, western library network prices, products, equipment, and services, when such discussion would be likely to adversely affect the network's ability to conduct business in a competitive economic climate. However, final action on these matters shall be taken in a meeting open to the public; (k) To consider, in the case of the state investment board, financial and commercial information when the information relates to the investment of public trust or retirement funds and when public knowledge regarding the discussion would result in loss to such funds or in private loss to the providers of this information; (l) To consider proprietary or confidential nonpublished information related to the development, acquisition, or implementation of state purchased health care services as provided in RCW 41.05.026 ; (m) To consider in the case of the life sciences discovery fund authority, the substance of grant applications and grant awards when public knowledge regarding the discussion would reasonably be expected to result in private loss to the providers of this information; (n) To consider in the case of a health sciences and services authority, the substance of grant applications and grant awards when public knowledge regarding the discussion would reasonably be expected to result in private loss to the providers of this information; (o) To consider information regarding staff privileges or quality improvement committees under RCW 70.41.205 ; (p) To consider proprietary or confidential data collected or analyzed pursuant to chapter 70.405 RCW; (q) To consider greenhouse gas allowance auction bidding information that is prohibited from release or disclosure under RCW 70A.65.100 (8). (2) Before convening in executive session, the presiding officer of a governing body shall publicly announce the purpose for excluding the public from the meeting place, and the time when the executive session will be concluded. The executive session may be extended to a stated later time by announcement of the presiding officer. The announced purpose of excluding the public must be entered into the minutes of the meeting required by RCW 42.30.035 .
RCW 42.17A.911 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 911
RCW 42.17A.911: Captions—1995 c 397.
Status: in_force

Captions as used in chapter 397, Laws of 1995 constitute no part of the law.
RCW 42.56.260 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 260
RCW 42.56.260: Real estate transactions.
Status: in_force

(1) Subject to the time limitations in subsection (2) of this section, the following documents relating to an agency's real estate transactions are exempt from public inspection and copying under this chapter: (a) Except as provided by chapter 8.26 RCW, the contents of real estate appraisals, made for or by any agency relative to the acquisition or sale of property; (b) Documents prepared for the purpose of considering the selection of a site or the acquisition of real estate by lease or purchase when public knowledge regarding such consideration would cause a likelihood of increased price, including records prepared for executive session pursuant to RCW 42.30.110 (1)(b); and (c) Documents prepared for the purpose of considering the minimum price of real estate that will be offered for sale or lease when public knowledge regarding such consideration would cause a likelihood of decreased price, including records prepared for executive session pursuant to RCW 42.30.110 (1)(c). (2) The exemptions in this section do not apply when disclosure is mandated by another statute or after the project or prospective project is abandoned or all properties that are part of the project have been purchased, sold, or leased. No appraisal may be withheld for more than three years.
RCW 42.30.220 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 30 / Section 220
RCW 42.30.220: Recording or online streaming by agency encouraged.
Status: in_force

(1) Public agencies are encouraged to make an audio or video recording of, or to provide an online streaming option for, all regular meetings of its governing body, and to make recordings of these meetings available online for a minimum of six months. (2) This section does not alter a local government's recordkeeping requirements under chapter 42.56 RCW.
RCW 42.30.060 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 30 / Section 060
RCW 42.30.060: Ordinances, rules, resolutions, regulations, etc., adopted at public meetings—Notice—Secret voting prohibited.
Status: in_force

(1) No governing body of a public agency shall adopt any ordinance, resolution, rule, regulation, order, or directive, except in a meeting open to the public and then only at a meeting, the date of which is fixed by law or rule, or at a meeting of which notice has been given according to the provisions of this chapter. Any action taken at meetings failing to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall be null and void. (2) No governing body of a public agency at any meeting required to be open to the public shall vote by secret ballot. Any vote taken in violation of this subsection shall be null and void, and shall be considered an "action" under this chapter.
RCW 42.14.070 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 14 / Section 070
RCW 42.14.070: Officers of political subdivisions.
Status: in_force

The legislative authority of each political subdivision, subject to the provisions of this chapter, shall adopt rules and regulations providing for appointment of temporary interim successors to the elected and appointed offices of the political subdivisions.
RCW 42.20.040 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 20 / Section 040
RCW 42.20.040: False report.
Status: in_force

Every public officer who shall knowingly make any false or misleading statement in any official report or statement, under circumstances not otherwise prohibited by law, shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
RCW 42.26.070 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 26 / Section 070
RCW 42.26.070: Custodian of petty cash account—Bond.
Status: in_force

The head of the agency or an employee designated by him or her shall have full responsibility as custodian for the petty cash account and its proper use under this chapter and applicable regulations of the director of financial management. The custodian of the petty cash account shall be covered by a surety bond in the full amount of the account at all times and all advances to it, conditioned upon the proper accounting for and legal expenditure of all such funds, in addition to other conditions required by law.
RCW 42.45.020 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 45 / Section 020
RCW 42.45.020: Authority to perform notarial act.
Status: in_force

(1) A notarial officer may perform a notarial act authorized by this chapter or by law of this state other than this chapter. (2)(a) A notarial officer may not perform a notarial act with respect to a record to which the officer or the officer's spouse or domestic partner is a party, or in which any of the above have a direct beneficial interest. (b) A notarial officer may not notarize the notarial officer's own signature. (c) A notarial act performed in violation of this subsection (2) is voidable. (3) A notarial officer may certify that a tangible copy of an electronic record is an accurate copy of the electronic record.
RCW 42.56.030 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 030
RCW 42.56.030: Construction.
Status: in_force

The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies that serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may maintain control over the instruments that they have created. This chapter shall be liberally construed and its exemptions narrowly construed to promote this public policy and to assure that the public interest will be fully protected. In the event of conflict between the provisions of this chapter and any other act, the provisions of this chapter shall govern.
RCW 42.17A.440 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 440
RCW 42.17A.440: Candidates' political committees—Limitations.
Status: in_force

A candidate may not knowingly establish, use, direct, or control more than one political committee for the purpose of supporting that candidate during a particular election campaign. This does not prohibit: (1) In addition to a candidate's having his or her own political committee, the candidate's participation in a political committee established to support a slate of candidates that includes the candidate; or (2) joint fund-raising efforts by candidates when a separate political committee is established for that purpose and all contributions are disbursed to and accounted for on a pro rata basis by the benefiting candidates.
RCW 42.52.802 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 802
RCW 42.52.802: Exemption—Solicitation for Washington state legacy project, state library, and archives account.
Status: in_force

This chapter does not prohibit the secretary of state or a designee from soliciting and accepting contributions to the Washington state legacy project, state library, and archives account created in RCW 43.07.380 .
RCW 42.17A.765 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 765
RCW 42.17A.765: Enforcement—Attorney general.
Status: in_force

(1)(a) The attorney general may bring civil actions in the name of the state for any appropriate civil remedy, including but not limited to the special remedies provided in RCW 42.17A.750 upon: (i) Referral by the commission pursuant to RCW 42.17A.755 (4); (ii) Receipt of a notice provided in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755 (5); or (iii) Receipt of a notice of intent to commence a citizen's action, as provided under RCW 42.17A.775 (3). (b) Within forty-five days of receiving a referral from the commission or notice of the commission's failure to take action provided in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755 (5), or within ten days of receiving a citizen's action notice, the attorney general must publish a decision whether to commence an action on the attorney general's office website. Publication of the decision within the forty-five day period, or ten-day period, whichever is applicable, shall preclude a citizen's action pursuant to RCW 42.17A.775 . (c) The attorney general should use the enforcement powers in this section in a consistent manner that provides guidance in complying with the provisions of this chapter to candidates, political committees, or other individuals subject to the regulations of this chapter. (2) The attorney general may investigate or cause to be investigated the activities of any person who there is reason to believe is or has been acting in violation of this chapter, and may require any such person or any other person reasonably believed to have information concerning the activities of such person to appear at a time and place designated in the county in which such person resides or is found, to give such information under oath and to produce all accounts, bills, receipts, books, paper and documents which may be relevant or material to any investigation authorized under this chapter. (3) When the attorney general requires the attendance of any person to obtain such information or produce the accounts, bills, receipts, books, papers, and documents that may be relevant or material to any investigation authorized under this chapter, the attorney general shall issue an order setting forth the time when and the place where attendance is required and shall cause the same to be delivered to or sent by registered mail to the person at least fourteen days before the date fixed for attendance. The order shall have the same force and effect as a subpoena, shall be effective statewide, and, upon application of the attorney general, obedience to the order may be enforced by any superior court judge in the county where the person receiving it resides or is found, in the same manner as though the order were a subpoena. The court, after hearing, for good cause, and upon application of any person aggrieved by the order, shall have the right to alter, amend, revise, suspend, or postpone all or any part of its provisions. In any case where the order is not enforced by the court according to its terms, the reasons for the court's actions shall be clearly stated in writing, and the action shall be subject to review by the appellate courts by certiorari or other appropriate proceeding.
RCW 42.17A.645 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 645
RCW 42.17A.645: Employment of legislators, board or commission members, or state employees—Statement, contents.
Status: in_force

If any person registered or required to be registered as a lobbyist, or any employer of any person registered or required to be registered as a lobbyist, employs a member or an employee of the legislature, a member of a state board or commission, or a full-time state employee, and that new employee remains in the partial employ of the state, the new employer must file within fifteen days after employment a statement with the commission, signed under oath, setting out the nature of the employment, the name of the person employed, and the amount of pay or consideration.
RCW 42.56.140 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 140
RCW 42.56.140: Public records exemptions accountability committee.
Status: in_force

(1)(a) The public records exemptions accountability committee is created to review exemptions from public disclosure, with thirteen members as provided in this subsection. (i) The governor shall appoint two members, one of whom represents the governor and one of whom represents local government. (ii) The attorney general shall appoint two members, one of whom represents the attorney general and one of whom represents a statewide media association. (iii) The state auditor shall appoint one member. (iv) The president of the senate shall appoint one member from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate. (v) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint one member from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives. (vi) The governor shall appoint four members of the public, with consideration given to diversity of viewpoint and geography. (b) The governor shall select the chair of the committee from among its membership. (c) Terms of the members shall be four years and shall be staggered, beginning August 1, 2007. (2) The purpose of the public records exemptions accountability committee is to review public disclosure exemptions and provide recommendations pursuant to subsection (7)(d) of this section. The committee shall develop and publish criteria for review of public exemptions. (3) All meetings of the committee shall be open to the public. (4) The committee must consider input from interested parties. (5) The office of the attorney general and the office of financial management shall provide staff support to the committee. (6) Legislative members of the committee shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120 . Nonlegislative members, except those representing an employer or organization, are entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060 . (7)(a) Beginning August 1, 2007, the code reviser shall provide the committee by August 1st of each year with a list of all public disclosure exemptions in the Revised Code of Washington. (b) The committee shall develop a schedule to accomplish a review of each public disclosure exemption. The committee shall publish the schedule and publish any revisions made to the schedule. (c) The chair shall convene an initial meeting of the committee by September 1, 2007. The committee shall meet at least four times a year and may hold additional meetings at the call of the chair or by a majority vote of the members of the committee. (d) For each public disclosure exemption, the committee shall provide a recommendation as to whether the exemption should be continued without modification, modified, scheduled for sunset review at a future date, or terminated. By November 15th of each year, the committee shall transmit its recommendations to the governor, the attorney general, and the appropriate committees of the house of representatives and the senate.
RCW 42.52.520 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 520
RCW 42.52.520: Disciplinary action.
Status: in_force

(1) A violation of this chapter or rules adopted under it is grounds for disciplinary action. (2) The procedures for any such action shall correspond to those applicable for disciplinary action for employee misconduct generally; for those state officers and state employees not specifically exempted in chapter 41.06 RCW, the rules set forth in chapter 41.06 RCW shall apply. Any action against the state officer or state employee shall be subject to judicial review to the extent provided by law for disciplinary action for misconduct of state officers and state employees of the same category and grade.
RCW 42.24.090 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 24 / Section 090
RCW 42.24.090: Municipal corporations and political subdivisions—Reimbursement claims by officers and employees.
Status: in_force

No claim for reimbursement of any expenditures by officers or employees of any municipal corporation or political subdivision of the state for transportation, lodging, meals or any other purpose shall be allowed by any officer, employee or board charged with auditing accounts unless the same shall be presented in a detailed account: PROVIDED, That, unless otherwise authorized by law, the legislative body of any municipal corporation or political subdivision of the state may prescribe by ordinance or resolution the amounts to be paid officers or employees thereof as reimbursement for the use of their personal automobiles or other transportation equipment in connection with officially assigned duties and other travel for approved public purposes, or as reimbursement to such officers or employees in lieu of actual expenses incurred for lodging, meals or other purposes. The rates for such reimbursements may be computed on a mileage, hourly, per diem, monthly, or other basis as the respective legislative bodies shall determine to be proper in each instance: PROVIDED, That in lieu of such reimbursements, payments for the use of personal automobiles for official travel may be established if the legislative body determines that these payments would be less costly to the municipal corporation or political subdivision of the state than providing automobiles for official travel. All claims authorized under this section shall be duly certified by the officer or employee submitting such claims on forms and in the manner prescribed by the state auditor.
RCW 42.45.901 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 45 / Section 901
RCW 42.45.901: Application.
Status: in_force

This chapter applies to a notarial act performed on or after July 1, 2018.
RCW 42.56.310 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 310
RCW 42.56.310: Library records.
Status: in_force

Any library record, the primary purpose of which is to maintain control of library materials, or to gain access to information, that discloses or could be used to disclose the identity of a library user is exempt from disclosure under this chapter.
RCW 42.52.530 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 530
RCW 42.52.530: Additional investigative authority.
Status: in_force

In addition to other authority under this chapter, the attorney general may investigate persons not under the jurisdiction of an ethics board whom the attorney general has reason to believe were involved in transactions in violation of this chapter or rules adopted under it.
RCW 42.17A.055 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 055
RCW 42.17A.055: Electronic filing—Availability.
Status: in_force

(1) For each required report, as technology permits, the commission shall make an electronic reporting tool available to all those who are required to file that report under this chapter. (2) All persons required to file reports under this chapter must file them electronically where the commission has provided an electronic option. The executive director may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis for persons who lack the technological ability to file reports electronically. (3) If the electronic filing system provided by the commission is inoperable for any period of time, the commission must keep a record of the date and time of each instance and post outages on its website. If a report is due on a day the electronic filing system is inoperable, it is not late if filed the first business day the system is back in operation. The commission must provide notice to all reporting entities when the system is back in operation. (4) All persons required to file reports under this chapter shall, at the time of initial filing, provide the commission an email address, or other electronic contact information, that shall constitute the official address for purposes of all communications from the commission. The person required to file one or more reports must provide any new electronic contact information to the commission within ten days, if the address has changed from that listed on the most recent report. Committees must provide the committee treasurer's electronic contact information to the commission. Committees must also provide any new electronic contact information for the committee's treasurer to the commission within ten days of the change. The executive director may waive the electronic contact information requirement and allow use of a postal address, upon the showing of hardship.
RCW 42.12.080 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 12 / Section 080
RCW 42.12.080: Filling nonpartisan vacancies—Special purpose districts.
Status: in_force

A vacancy on an elected nonpartisan governing body of a special purpose district where property ownership is not a qualification to vote or that is not a qualifying special purpose district defined in RCW 42.12.070 , shall be filled as follows unless the provisions of law relating to the special purpose district provide otherwise: (1) After a vacancy occurs, the remaining members of the governing body must nominate at least one candidate at a meeting of the governing body. The governing body must then cause notice of the vacancy and the name of the nominated candidate or candidates to be posted in three public places in the special purpose district, including on the district's website if the district has a website, for a minimum of 15 days. During the notice period, registered voters who reside in the special purpose district may submit nominations to the remaining members of the governing body. (2) After the notice period described in subsection (1) of this section, the remaining members of the governing body shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacant position from the candidates nominated by either the governing body or the public at a meeting of the governing body. (3) Where two or more positions are vacant and two or more members of the governing body remain in office, the remaining members of the governing body shall appoint a qualified person to fill one of the vacant positions under the nomination process described in subsection (1) of this section, the remaining members of the governing body and the newly appointed person shall appoint another qualified person to fill another vacant position under the nomination process described in subsection (1) of this section, and so on until each of the vacant positions is filled with each of the new appointees participating in each appointment that is made after his or her appointment. (4) If less than two members of a governing body remain in office, the county legislative authority of the county in which all or the largest geographic portion of the special purpose district is located shall appoint a qualified person or persons to the governing body until the governing body has two members. (5) If a governing body fails to appoint a qualified person to fill a vacancy within 90 days of the occurrence of the vacancy, the authority of the governing body to fill the vacancy shall cease and the county legislative authority of the county in which all or the largest geographic portion of the special purpose district is located shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy. (6) If the county legislative authority of the county fails to appoint a qualified person within 180 days of the occurrence of the vacancy, the county legislative authority or the remaining members of the governing body of the special purpose district may petition the governor to appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy. The governor may appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy after being petitioned if at the time the governor fills the vacancy the county legislative authority has not appointed a qualified person to fill the vacancy. (7) As provided in chapter 29A.24 RCW, each person who is appointed shall serve until a qualified person is elected at the next election at which a member of the governing body normally would be elected. The person elected shall take office immediately and serve the remainder of the unexpired term.
RCW 42.52.821 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 821
RCW 42.52.821: Exemption—Solicitation to host conference of a national association.
Status: in_force

When soliciting gifts, grants, or donations to host an official conference within the state of Washington of a national association as approved by the state treasurer, the treasurer and designated employees are presumed not to be in violation of the solicitation and receipt of gift provisions in this chapter.
RCW 42.08.140 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 08 / Section 140
RCW 42.08.140: Force of additional bond.
Status: in_force

Every such additional bond shall be of like force and obligation upon the principal and sureties therein, and shall subject the officer and his or her sureties to the same liabilities as are prescribed respecting the original bonds of officers.
RCW 42.26.030 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 26 / Section 030
RCW 42.26.030: Regulations.
Status: in_force

The director of financial management shall adopt such regulations as may be necessary or desirable to implement the provisions of this chapter relating to the establishment of an agency vendor payment revolving fund.
RCW 42.56.210 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 210
RCW 42.56.210: Certain personal and other records exempt.
Status: in_force

(1) Except for information described in *RCW 42.56.230 (3)(a) and confidential income data exempted from public inspection pursuant to RCW 84.40.020 , the exemptions of this chapter are inapplicable to the extent that information, the disclosure of which would violate personal privacy or vital governmental interests, can be deleted from the specific records sought. No exemption may be construed to permit the nondisclosure of statistical information not descriptive of any readily identifiable person or persons. (2) Inspection or copying of any specific records exempt under the provisions of this chapter may be permitted if the superior court in the county in which the record is maintained finds, after a hearing with notice thereof to every person in interest and the agency, that the exemption of such records is clearly unnecessary to protect any individual's right of privacy or any vital governmental function. (3) Agency responses refusing, in whole or in part, inspection of any public record shall include a statement of the specific exemption authorizing the withholding of the record (or part) and a brief explanation of how the exemption applies to the record withheld.
RCW 42.41.901 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 41 / Section 901
RCW 42.41.901: Effective dates—1992 c 44.
Status: in_force

Sections 1 through 10 of this act shall take effect January 1, 1993. Section 11 of this act shall take effect July 1, 1992.
RCW 42.24.120 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 24 / Section 120
RCW 42.24.120: Advancements for travel expenses—Municipal corporation or political subdivision officers and employees.
Status: in_force

Whenever it becomes necessary for an elected or appointed official or employee of the municipal corporation or political subdivision to travel and incur expenses, the legislative body of such municipal corporation or political subdivision may provide, in the manner that local legislation is officially enacted, reasonable allowances to such officers and employees in advance of expenditure. Such advance shall be made under appropriate rules and regulations to be prescribed by the state auditor.
RCW 42.30.090 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 30 / Section 090
RCW 42.30.090: Adjournments.
Status: in_force

The governing body of a public agency may adjourn any regular, adjourned regular, special, or adjourned special meeting to a time and place specified in the order of adjournment. Less than a quorum may so adjourn from time to time. If all members are absent from any regular or adjourned regular meeting the clerk or secretary of the governing body may declare the meeting adjourned to a stated time and place. He or she shall cause a written notice of the adjournment to be given in the same manner as provided in RCW 42.30.080 for special meetings, unless such notice is waived as provided for special meetings. Except in the case of remote meetings without a physical location as provided for in this chapter, whenever any meeting is adjourned a copy of the order or notice of adjournment shall be conspicuously posted immediately after the time of the adjournment on or near the door of the place where the regular, adjourned regular, special, or adjourned special meeting was held. When a regular or adjourned regular meeting is adjourned as provided in this section, the resulting adjourned regular meeting is a regular meeting for all purposes. When an order of adjournment of any meeting fails to state the hour at which the adjourned meeting is to be held, it shall be held at the hour specified for regular meetings by ordinance, resolution, bylaw, or other rule.
RCW 42.56.390 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 390
RCW 42.56.390: Emergency or transitional housing.
Status: in_force

Names of individuals residing in emergency or transitional housing that are furnished to the department of revenue or a county assessor in order to substantiate a claim for property tax exemption under RCW 84.36.043 are exempt from disclosure under this chapter.
RCW 42.41.040 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 41 / Section 040
RCW 42.41.040: Retaliatory action unlawful—Relief by whistleblower—Penalty.
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful for any local government official or employee to take retaliatory action against a local government employee because the employee provided information in good faith in accordance with the provisions of this chapter that an improper governmental action occurred. (2) In order to seek relief under this chapter, a local government employee shall provide a written notice of the charge of retaliatory action to the governing body of the local government that: (a) Specifies the alleged retaliatory action; and (b) Specifies the relief requested. (3) The charge shall be delivered to the local government no later than thirty days after the occurrence of the alleged retaliatory action. The local government has thirty days to respond to the charge of retaliatory action and request for relief. (4) Upon receipt of either the response of the local government or after the last day upon which the local government could respond, the local government employee may request a hearing to establish that a retaliatory action occurred and to obtain appropriate relief as defined in this section. The request for a hearing shall be delivered to the local government within fifteen days of delivery of the response from the local government, or within fifteen days of the last day on which the local government could respond. (5) Within five working days of receipt of the request for hearing, the local government shall apply to the state office of administrative hearings for an adjudicative proceeding before an administrative law judge. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the proceedings shall comply with RCW 34.05.410 through 34.05.598 . (6) The employee, as the initiating party, must prove his or her claim by a preponderance of the evidence. The administrative law judge shall issue a final decision consisting of findings of fact, conclusions of law, and judgment no later than forty-five days after the date the request for hearing was delivered to the local government. The administrative law judge may grant specific extensions of time beyond this period of time for rendering a decision at the request of either party upon a showing of good cause, or upon his or her own motion. (7) Relief that may be granted by the administrative law judge consists of reinstatement, with or without back pay, and such injunctive relief as may be found to be necessary in order to return the employee to the position he or she held before the retaliatory action and to prevent any recurrence of retaliatory action. The administrative law judge may award costs and reasonable attorneys' fees to the prevailing party. (8) If a determination is made that retaliatory action has been taken against the employee, the administrative law judge may, in addition to any other remedy, impose a civil penalty personally upon the retaliator of up to three thousand dollars payable by each person found to have retaliated against the employee and recommend to the local government that any person found to have retaliated against the employee be suspended with or without pay or dismissed. All penalties recovered shall be paid to the local government administrative hearings account created in RCW 42.41.060 . (9) The final decision of the administrative law judge is subject to judicial review under the arbitrary and capricious standard. Relief ordered by the administrative law judge may be enforced by petition to superior court.
RCW 42.56.510 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 510
RCW 42.56.510: Duty to disclose or withhold information—Otherwise provided.
Status: in_force

Nothing in RCW 42.56.250 and 42.56.330 shall affect a positive duty of an agency to disclose or a positive duty to withhold information which duty to disclose or withhold is contained in any other law.
RCW 42.45.130 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 45 / Section 130
RCW 42.45.130: Certificate of notarial act.
Status: in_force

(1) A notarial act must be evidenced by a certificate. The certificate must: (a) Be executed contemporaneously with the performance of the notarial act; (b) Be signed and dated by the notarial officer and, if the notarial officer is a notary public, be signed in the same manner as on file with the department; (c) Identify the jurisdiction in which the notarial act is performed; (d) Contain the title of office of the notarial officer; (e) Be written in English or in dual languages, one of which must be English; (f) If the notarial officer is a notary public, indicate the date of expiration, if any, of the officer's commission; and (g) If the notarial act is performed under RCW 42.45.280 , indicate that the notarial act was performed using communication technology. (2) Regarding notarial act certificates on a tangible record: (a) If a notarial act regarding a tangible record is performed by a notary public, an official stamp must be affixed to or embossed on the certificate. (b) If a notarial act regarding a tangible record is performed by a notarial officer other than a notary public and the certificate contains the information specified in subsection (1)(b), (c), and (d) of this section, an official stamp may be affixed to or embossed on the certificate. (3) Regarding notarial act certificates on an electronic record: (a) If a notarial act regarding an electronic record is performed by an electronic records notary public, an official stamp must be attached to or logically associated with the certificate. (b) If a notarial act regarding an electronic record is performed by a notarial officer other than a notary public and the certificate contains the information specified in subsection (1)(b), (c), and (d) of this section, an official stamp may be attached to or logically associated with the certificate. (4) A certificate of a notarial act is sufficient if it meets the requirements of subsections (1) through (3) of this section and: (a) Is in a short form set forth in RCW 42.45.140 ; (b) Is in a form otherwise permitted by the law of this state; (c) Is in a form permitted by the law applicable in the jurisdiction in which the notarial act was performed; or (d) Sets forth the actions of the notarial officer and the actions are sufficient to meet the requirements of the notarial act as provided in RCW 42.45.030 , 42.45.040 , and 42.45.050 or law of this state other than this chapter. (5) By executing a certificate of a notarial act, a notarial officer certifies that the officer has complied with the requirements and made the determinations specified in RCW 42.45.030 , 42.45.040 , and 42.45.050 . (6) A notarial officer may not affix the officer's signature to, or logically associate it with, a certificate until the notarial act has been performed. (7) If a notarial act is performed regarding a tangible record, a certificate must be part of, or securely attached to, the record. If a notarial act is performed regarding an electronic record, the certificate must be affixed to, or logically associated with, the electronic record. If the director has established standards pursuant to RCW 42.45.250 for attaching, affixing, or logically associating the certificate, the process must conform to the standards.
RCW 42.45.260 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 45 / Section 260
RCW 42.45.260: Commissions in effect July 1, 2018—Continuation.
Status: in_force

A commission as a notary public in effect on July 1, 2018, continues until its date of expiration. A notary public who applies to renew a commission as a notary public on or after July 1, 2018, is subject to and shall comply with this chapter. A notary public, in performing notarial acts after July 1, 2018, shall comply with this chapter.
RCW 42.56.675 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 675
RCW 42.56.675: Agency employee records—Lists of names.
Status: in_force

A state agency may not disclose lists of the names of agency employees, as defined under RCW 42.56.660 , maintained by the agency in order to administer RCW 42.56.660 .
RCW 42.08.030 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 08 / Section 030
RCW 42.08.030: Leave of court required.
Status: in_force

Before an action can be commenced by a plaintiff, other than the state, or the municipal or public corporation named in the bond, leave shall be obtained of the court or judge thereof where the action is triable. Such leave shall be granted upon the production of a certified copy of the bond and an affidavit of the plaintiff, or some person in his or her behalf, showing the delinquency. But if the matter set forth in his or her affidavit be such that, if true, the party applying would clearly not be entitled to recover in the action, the leave shall not be granted. If it does not appear from the complaint that the leave herein provided for has been granted, the defendant, on motion, shall be entitled to judgment of nonsuit; if it does, the defendant may controvert the allegation, and if the issue be found in his or her favor, judgment shall be given accordingly.
RCW 42.08.130 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 08 / Section 130
RCW 42.08.130: Remedy when bond of state officer becomes insufficient.
Status: in_force

Whenever the official bond of any state officer shall become insufficient from any cause whatever, the like proceedings may be had before the superior court of the county in which said state officer holds his or her office with reference thereto: PROVIDED, That such proceedings may be commenced by a written motion supported by affidavit.
RCW 42.56.235 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 235
RCW 42.56.235: Religious affiliation exemption.
Status: in_force

All records that relate to or contain personally identifying information about an individual's religious beliefs, practices, or affiliation are exempt from disclosure under this chapter.
RCW 42.56.655 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 655
RCW 42.56.655: Explosives exemption report.
Status: in_force

By December 1, 2023, the public records exemptions accountability committee, in addition to its duties in RCW 42.56.140 , must prepare and submit a report to the legislature that includes recommendations on whether the exemption created in RCW 42.56.460 (2) should be continued, modified, or terminated. No recommendations or action from the committee or the legislature will result in the continuation of the exemption created in RCW 42.56.460 (2).
RCW 42.16.014 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 16 / Section 014
RCW 42.16.014: Disbursements by warrants—Certifications.
Status: in_force

Disbursements from the revolving account and fund created by RCW 42.16.010 through 42.16.017 shall be by warrant in accordance with the provisions of RCW 43.88.160 : PROVIDED, That when the payroll is prepared under a centralized system established pursuant to regulations of the director of financial management, disbursements on behalf of the agency shall be certified by the head of the agency preparing the centralized payroll or his or her designee: PROVIDED FURTHER, That disbursements from a centralized paying agency representing amounts withheld, and/or contributions, for payment to any individual payee on behalf of several agencies, may be by single warrant representing the aggregate amounts payable by all such agencies to such payee. The procedure for disbursement and certification of these aggregate amounts shall be established by the director of financial management. All payments to employees or other payees, from the revolving account and fund created by RCW 42.16.010 through 42.16.017 , whether certified by an agency or by the director of financial management on behalf of such agency, shall be made wherever possible by a single warrant reflecting on its face the amount charged to each revolving account and fund.
RCW 42.52.090 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 090
RCW 42.52.090: Limited assistance by former state officers and employees.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall not be construed to prevent a former state officer or state employee from rendering assistance to others if the assistance is provided without compensation in any form and is limited to one or more of the following: (1) Providing the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of state agencies or state employees; (2) Providing free transportation to another for the purpose of conducting business with a state agency; (3) Assisting an individual or nonprofit corporation in obtaining or completing application forms or other forms required by a state agency for the conduct of a state business; or (4) Providing assistance to the poor and infirm.
RCW 42.36.080 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 36 / Section 080
RCW 42.36.080: Disqualification based on doctrine—Time limitation for raising challenge.
Status: in_force

Anyone seeking to rely on the appearance of fairness doctrine to disqualify a member of a decision-making body from participating in a decision must raise the challenge as soon as the basis for disqualification is made known to the individual. Where the basis is known or should reasonably have been known prior to the issuance of a decision and is not raised, it may not be relied on to invalidate the decision.