RCW 42.17A.240 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 240
RCW 42.17A.240: Contents of report.
Status: in_force

Each report required under RCW 42.17A.235 (1) through (4) must be certified as correct by the treasurer and the candidate and shall disclose the following, except an incidental committee only must disclose and certify as correct the information required under subsections (2)(d) and (7) of this section: (1) The funds on hand at the beginning of the period; (2) The name and address of each person who has made one or more contributions during the period, together with the money value and date of each contribution and the aggregate value of all contributions received from each person during the campaign, or in the case of a continuing political committee, the current calendar year, with the following exceptions: (a) Pledges in the aggregate of less than one hundred dollars from any one person need not be reported; (b) Income that results from a fund-raising activity conducted in accordance with RCW 42.17A.230 may be reported as one lump sum, with the exception of that portion received from persons whose names and addresses are required to be included in the report required by RCW 42.17A.230 ; (c) Contributions of no more than twenty-five dollars in the aggregate from any one person during the election campaign may be reported as one lump sum if the treasurer maintains a separate and private list of the name, address, and amount of each such contributor; (d) Payments received by an incidental committee from any one person need not be reported unless the person is one of the committee's ten largest sources of payments received, including any persons tied as the tenth largest source of payments received, during the current calendar year, and the value of the cumulative payments received from that person during the current calendar year is ten thousand dollars or greater. For payments to incidental committees from multiple persons received in aggregated form, any payment of more than ten thousand dollars from any single person must be reported, but the aggregated payment itself may not be reported. The commission may suspend or modify reporting requirements for payments received by an incidental committee in cases of manifestly unreasonable hardship under this chapter; (e) Payments from private foundations organized under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code to an incidental committee do not have to be reported if: (i) The private foundation is contracting with the incidental committee for a specific purpose other than election campaign purposes; (ii) Use of the funds for election campaign purposes is explicitly prohibited by contract; and (iii) Funding from the private foundation represents less than twenty-five percent of the incidental committee's total budget; (f) Commentary or analysis on a ballot proposition by an incidental committee is not considered a contribution if it does not advocate specifically to vote for or against the ballot proposition; and (g) The money value of contributions of postage is the face value of the postage; (3) Each loan, promissory note, or security instrument to be used by or for the benefit of the candidate or political committee made by any person, including the names and addresses of the lender and each person liable directly, indirectly or contingently and the date and amount of each such loan, promissory note, or security instrument; (4) All other contributions not otherwise listed or exempted; (5) A statement that the candidate or political committee has received a certification from any partnership, association, corporation, organization, or other combination of persons making a contribution to the candidate or political committee that: (a) The contribution is not financed in any part by a foreign national; and (b) Foreign nationals are not involved in making decisions regarding the contribution in any way; (6) The name and address of each candidate or political committee to which any transfer of funds was made, including the amounts and dates of the transfers; (7) The name and address of each person to whom an expenditure was made in the aggregate amount of more than fifty dollars during the period covered by this report, the amount, date, and purpose of each expenditure, and the total sum of all expenditures. An incidental committee only must report on expenditures, made and reportable as contributions as defined in RCW 42.17A.005 , to election campaigns. For purposes of this subsection, commentary or analysis on a ballot proposition by an incidental committee is not considered an expenditure if it does not advocate specifically to vote for or against the ballot proposition; (8) The name, address, and electronic contact information of each person to whom an expenditure was made for soliciting or procuring signatures on an initiative or referendum petition, the amount of the compensation to each person, and the total expenditures made for this purpose. Such expenditures shall be reported under this subsection in addition to what is required to be reported under subsection (7) of this section; (9)(a) The name and address of any person and the amount owed for any debt with a value of more than seven hundred fifty dollars that has not been paid for any invoices submitted, goods received, or services performed, within five business days during the period within thirty days before an election, or within ten business days during any other period. (b) For purposes of this subsection, debt does not include regularly recurring expenditures of the same amount that have already been reported at least once and that are not late or outstanding; (10) The surplus or deficit of contributions over expenditures; (11) The disposition made in accordance with RCW 42.17A.430 of any surplus funds; and (12) Any other information required by the commission by rule in conformance with the policies and purposes of this chapter.
RCW 42.14.030 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 14 / Section 030
RCW 42.14.030: Legislature.
Status: in_force

In the event that a catastrophic incident reduces the number of legislators available for duty, then those legislators available for duty shall constitute the legislature and shall have full power to act in separate or joint assembly by majority vote of those present. In the event of a catastrophic incident, (1) quorum requirements for the legislature shall be suspended, and (2) where the affirmative vote of a specified proportion of members for approval of a bill, resolution, or other action would otherwise be required, the same proportion of those voting thereon shall be sufficient. In the event of a catastrophic incident, the governor shall call the legislature into session as soon as practicable, and in any case within thirty days following the inception of the catastrophic incident. If the governor fails to issue such call, the legislature shall, on the thirtieth day from the date of inception of the catastrophic incident, automatically convene at the place where the governor then has his or her office. Each legislator shall proceed to the place of session as expeditiously as practicable. At such session or at any session in operation at the inception of the catastrophic incident, and at any subsequent sessions, limitations on the length of session and on the subjects which may be acted upon shall be suspended.
RCW 42.45.280 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 45 / Section 280
RCW 42.45.280: Electronic records notary public.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2158-S.SL ) ***

(1) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (a) "Communication technology" means an electronic device or process that: (i) Allows an electronic records notary public and a remotely located individual to communicate with each other simultaneously by sight and sound; and (ii) When necessary under and consistent with other applicable law, facilitates communication with a remotely located individual with a vision, hearing, or speech impairment. (b) "Foreign state" means a jurisdiction other than the United States, a state, or a federally recognized Indian tribe. (c) "Identity proofing" means a process or service by which a third person provides an electronic records notary public with a means to verify the identity of a remotely located individual by a review of personal information from public or private data sources. (d) "Outside the United States" means a location outside the geographic boundaries of the United States, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and any territory, insular possession, or other location subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. (e) "Remotely located individual" means an individual who is not in the physical presence of the electronic records notary public who performs a notarial act under subsection (3) of this section. (2) A remotely located individual complies with RCW 42.45.040 by using communication technology to appear before an electronic records notary public. (3) An electronic records notary public located in this state may perform a notarial act using communication technology for a remotely located individual if: (a) The electronic records notary public: (i) Has personal knowledge under RCW 42.45.050 (1) of the identity of the remotely located individual; (ii) Has satisfactory evidence of the identity of the remotely located individual by a verification on oath or affirmation of a credible witness appearing before and identified by the electronic records notary public under RCW 42.45.050 (2); or (iii) Has obtained satisfactory evidence of the identity of the remotely located individual by using at least two different types of identity proofing; (b) The electronic records notary public is reasonably able to confirm that a record before the electronic records notary public is the same record in which the remotely located individual made a statement or on which the individual executed a signature; (c) The electronic records notary public, or a person acting on behalf of the electronic records notary public, creates an audiovisual recording of the performance of the notarial act; and (d) For a remotely located individual located outside the United States: (i) The record: (A) Is to be filed with or relates to a matter before a public official or court, governmental entity, or other entity subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; or (B) Involves property located in the territorial jurisdiction of the United States or involves a transaction substantially connected with the United States; and (ii) The act of making the statement or signing the record is not prohibited by the foreign state in which the remotely located individual is located. (4) If a notarial act is performed under this section, the certificate of notarial act required by RCW 42.45.130 and the short form certificate provided in RCW 42.45.140 must indicate that the notarial act was performed using communication technology. (5) A short form certificate provided in RCW 42.45.140 for a notarial act subject to this section is sufficient if it: (a) Complies with rules adopted under subsection (8)(a) of this section; or (b) Is in the form provided by RCW 42.45.140 and contains a statement substantially as follows: "This notarial act involved the use of communication technology." (6) An electronic records notary public, a guardian, conservator, or agent of an electronic records notary public, or a personal representative of a deceased electronic records notary public shall retain the audiovisual recording created under subsection (3)(c) of this section or cause the recording to be retained by a repository designated by or on behalf of the person required to retain the recording. Unless a different period is required by rule adopted under subsection (8)(d) of this section, the recording must be retained for a period of at least ten years after the recording is made. (7) Before an electronic records notary public performs the electronic records notary public's initial notarial act under this section, the electronic records notary public must notify the director that the electronic records notary public will be performing notarial acts and identify the technologies the electronic records notary public intends to use. If the director has established standards under subsection (8) of this section and RCW 42.45.250 for approval of communication technology or identity proofing, the communication technology and identity proofing must conform to the standards. (8) In addition to adopting rules under RCW 42.45.250 , the director may adopt rules under this section regarding performance of a notarial act. The rules may: (a) Prescribe the means of performing a notarial act involving a remotely located individual using communication technology; (b) Establish standards for communication technology and identity proofing; (c) Establish requirements or procedures to approve providers of communication technology and the process of identity proofing; and (d) Establish standards and a period for the retention of an audiovisual recording created under subsection (3)(c) of this section. (9) Before adopting, amending, or repealing a rule governing performance of a notarial act with respect to a remotely located individual, the director must consider: (a) The most recent standards regarding the performance of a notarial act with respect to a remotely located individual adopted by national standard-setting organizations and the recommendations of the national association of secretaries of state; (b) Standards, practices, and customs of other jurisdictions that have laws substantially similar to this section; and (c) The views of governmental officials and entities and other interested persons.
RCW 42.26.060 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 26 / Section 060
RCW 42.26.060: Restrictions on use of petty cash account—Expenditures—Reimbursement.
Status: in_force

The use of the petty cash account shall be restricted to miscellaneous petty or emergency expenditures, refunds legally payable by an agency, and for cash change to be used in the transaction of the agency's official business. All expenditures made from petty cash shall be charged to an existing appropriation for such purpose, except expenditures chargeable against funds for which no appropriation is required by law. All expenditures or refunds made from petty cash shall be reimbursed out of and charged to the proper appropriation or fund at the close of each month and such other times as may be necessary.
RCW 42.17A.250 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 250
RCW 42.17A.250: Out-of-state political committees—Reports.
Status: in_force

(1) An out-of-state political committee organized for the purpose of supporting or opposing candidates or ballot propositions in another state that is not otherwise required to report under RCW 42.17A.205 through 42.17A.240 shall report as required in this section when it makes an expenditure supporting or opposing a Washington state candidate or political committee. The committee shall file with the commission a statement disclosing: (a) Its name and address; (b) The purposes of the out-of-state committee; (c) The names, addresses, and titles of its officers or, if it has no officers, the names, addresses, and the titles of its responsible leaders; (d) The name, office sought, and party affiliation of each candidate in the state of Washington whom the out-of-state committee is supporting or opposing and, if the committee is supporting or opposing the entire ticket of any party, the name of the party; (e) The ballot proposition supported or opposed in the state of Washington, if any, and whether the committee is in favor of or opposed to that proposition; (f) The name and address of each person residing in the state of Washington or corporation that has a place of business in the state of Washington who has made one or more contributions in the aggregate of more than *twenty-five dollars to the out-of-state committee during the current calendar year, together with the money value and date of the contributions; (g) The name, address, and employer of each person or corporation residing outside the state of Washington who has made one or more contributions in the aggregate of more than *two thousand five hundred fifty dollars to the out-of-state committee during the current calendar year, together with the money value and date of the contributions. Annually, the commission must modify the *two thousand five hundred fifty dollar limit in this subsection based on percentage change in the implicit price deflator for personal consumption expenditures for the United States as published for the most recent twelve-month period by the bureau of economic analysis of the federal department of commerce; (h) The name and address of each person in the state of Washington to whom an expenditure was made by the out-of-state committee with respect to a candidate or political committee in the aggregate amount of more than *fifty dollars, the amount, date, and purpose of the expenditure, and the total sum of the expenditures; (i) A statement that the out-of-state committee has received a certification from any partnership, association, corporation, organization, or other combination of persons making a contribution reportable under this section that: (i) The contribution is not financed in any part by a foreign national; and (ii) Foreign nationals are not involved in making decisions regarding the contribution in any way; and (j) Any other information as the commission may prescribe by rule in keeping with the policies and purposes of this chapter. (2) Each statement shall be filed no later than the tenth day of the month following any month in which a contribution or other expenditure reportable under subsection (1) of this section is made. An out-of-state committee incurring an obligation to file additional statements in a calendar year may satisfy the obligation by timely filing reports that supplement previously filed information.
RCW 42.17A.915 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 915
RCW 42.17A.915: Effective dates—2005 c 445.
Status: in_force

Sections 6 and 12 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 take effect July 1, 2005. The remainder of this act takes effect January 1, 2006.
RCW 42.30.230 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 30 / Section 230
RCW 42.30.230: Declared emergencies—Remote meeting—Limits on physical attendance.
Status: in_force

(1) If, after the declaration of an emergency by a local or state government or agency, or by the federal government, a public agency determines that it cannot hold a meeting of the governing body with members or public attendance in person with reasonable safety because of the emergency, the public agency may: (a) Hold a remote meeting of the governing body without a physical location; or (b) Hold a meeting of the governing body at which the physical attendance by some or all members of the public is limited due to a declared emergency. (2) During a remote meeting, members of the governing body may appear or attend by phone or by other electronic means that allows real-time verbal communication without being in the same physical location. For a remote meeting or a meeting at which the physical attendance by some or all members of the public is limited due to a declared emergency, the public agency must provide an option for the public to listen to the proceedings telephonically or by using a readily available alternative in real-time that does not require any additional cost for participation. Free readily available options include, but are not limited to, broadcast by the public agency on a locally available cable television station that is available throughout the jurisdiction or other electronic, internet, or other means of remote access that does not require any additional cost for access to the program. The public agency may also allow the other electronic means of remote access. (3) No action may be taken at a remote meeting or a meeting at which the physical attendance by some or all members of the public is limited due to a declared emergency if the public agency has not provided an option for the public to listen to proceedings pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, except for an executive session as authorized in this chapter. (4) Notice of a remote meeting without a physical location or a meeting at which the physical attendance by some or all members of the public is limited due to a declared emergency must be provided in accordance with this chapter and must include instructions on how the public may listen live to proceedings and on how the public may access any other electronic means of remote access offered by the public agency. (5) A remote meeting or a meeting at which the physical attendance by some or all members of the public is limited due to a declared emergency that is held under the provisions of this section shall be considered open and public in compliance with the requirements of this chapter. Nothing in this section alters the ability of public agencies to take action in response to an emergency as provided for in RCW 42.30.070 , or to have members of a governing body participate in a meeting remotely with no declared emergency. (6) Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, any governing body of a public agency which held some of its regular meetings remotely prior to March 1, 2020, may continue to hold some of its regular meetings remotely with no declared emergency so long as the public agency provides an option for the public to listen to the proceedings pursuant to subsection (2) of this section.
RCW 42.52.200 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 200
RCW 42.52.200: Agency rules.
Status: in_force

(1) Each agency may adopt rules consistent with law, for use within the agency to protect against violations of this chapter. (2) Each agency proposing to adopt rules under this section shall forward the rules to the appropriate ethics board before they may take effect. The board may submit comments to the agency regarding the proposed rules. (3) This section applies to institutions of higher education only to the extent their activities are not subject to RCW 42.52.220 .
RCW 42.52.490 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 490
RCW 42.52.490: Action by attorney general.
Status: in_force

(1) Upon a written determination by the attorney general that the action of an ethics board was clearly erroneous or if requested by an ethics board, the attorney general may bring a civil action in the superior court of the county in which the violation is alleged to have occurred against a state officer, state employee, former state officer, former state employee, or other person who has violated or knowingly assisted another person in violating any of the provisions of this chapter or the rules adopted under it. In such action the attorney general may recover the following amounts on behalf of the state of Washington: (a) Any damages sustained by the state that are caused by the conduct constituting the violation; (b) From each such person, a civil penalty of up to five thousand dollars per violation or three times the economic value of any thing received or sought in violation of this chapter or the rules adopted under it, whichever is greater; and (c) Costs, including reasonable investigative expenses. (2) In any civil action brought by the attorney general upon the basis that the attorney general has determined that the board's action was clearly erroneous, the court shall not proceed with the action unless the attorney general has first shown, and the court has found, that the action of the board was clearly erroneous.
RCW 42.16.013 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 16 / Section 013
RCW 42.16.013: Transfers to state payroll revolving account—Certification by agencies or director of financial management.
Status: in_force

The state treasurer shall make such transfers to the state payroll revolving account in the amounts to be disbursed as certified by the respective agencies: PROVIDED, That if the payroll is prepared on behalf of an agency from data authenticated and certified by the agency under a centralized system established pursuant to regulation of the director of financial management, the state treasurer shall make the transfer upon the certification of the head of the agency preparing the centralized payroll or his or her designee.
RCW 42.45.900 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 45 / Section 900
RCW 42.45.900: Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter may be known and cited as the 2018 revised uniform law on notarial acts.
RCW 42.56.660 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 660
RCW 42.56.660: Agency employee records.
Status: in_force

(1) Except by court order issued pursuant to subsection (3) of this section, an agency may not disclose as a response to a public records request made pursuant to this chapter records concerning an agency employee, as defined in subsection (5) of this section, if: (a) The requestor is a person alleged in the claim of workplace sexual harassment or stalking to have harassed or stalked the agency employee who is named as the victim in the claim; and (b) After conducting an investigation, the agency issued discipline resulting from the claim of workplace sexual harassment or stalking to the requestor described under (a) of this subsection. (2)(a) When the requestor is someone other than a person described under subsection (1) of this section, the agency must immediately notify an agency employee upon receipt of a public records request for records concerning that agency employee if the agency conducted an investigation of the claim of workplace sexual harassment or stalking involving the agency employee and the agency issued discipline resulting from the claim. (b) Upon notice provided in accordance with (a) of this subsection, the agency employee may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin the agency from disclosing the records. The agency employee shall immediately notify the agency upon filing an action under this subsection. Except for the five-day notification required under RCW 42.56.520 , the time for the employing agency to process a request for records is suspended during the pendency of an action filed under this subsection. Upon notice of an action filed under this subsection, the agency may not disclose such records unless by an order issued in accordance with subsection (3) of this section, or if the action is dismissed without the court granting an injunction. (3)(a) A court of competent jurisdiction, following sufficient notice to the employing agency, may order the release of some or all of the records described in subsections (1) and (2) of this section after finding that, in consideration of the totality of the circumstances, disclosure would not violate the right to privacy under RCW 42.56.050 for the agency employee. An agency that is ordered in accordance with this subsection to disclose records is not liable for penalties, attorneys' fees, or costs under RCW 42.56.550 if the agency has complied with this section. (b) For the purposes of this section, it is presumed to be highly offensive to a reasonable person under RCW 42.56.050 to disclose, directly or indirectly, records concerning an agency employee who has made a claim of workplace sexual harassment or stalking with the agency, or is named as a victim in the claim, to persons alleged in the claim to have sexually harassed or stalked the agency employee named as the victim and where the agency issued discipline resulting from the claim after conducting an investigation. The presumption set out under this subsection may be rebutted upon showing of clear, cogent, and convincing evidence that disclosure of the requested record or information to persons alleged in the claim to have sexually harassed or stalked the agency employee named as the victim in the claim is not highly offensive. (4) Nothing in this section restricts access to records described under subsections (1) and (2) of this section where the agency employee consents in writing to disclosure. (5) For the purposes of this section: (a) "Agency" means a state agency, including every state office, department, division, bureau, board, commission, or other state agency. (b) "Agency employee" means a state agency employee who has made a claim of workplace sexual harassment or stalking with the employing agency, or is named as the victim in the claim. (c) "Records concerning an agency employee" do not include work product created by the agency employee as part of his or her official duties.
RCW 42.30.205 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 30 / Section 205
RCW 42.30.205: Training.
Status: in_force

(1) Every member of the governing body of a public agency must complete training on the requirements of this chapter no later than ninety days after the date the member either: (a) Takes the oath of office, if the member is required to take an oath of office to assume his or her duties as a public official; or (b) Otherwise assumes his or her duties as a public official. (2) In addition to the training required under subsection (1) of this section, every member of the governing body of a public agency must complete training at intervals of no more than four years as long as the individual is a member of the governing body or public agency. (3) Training may be completed remotely with technology including but not limited to internet-based training.
RCW 42.23.020 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 23 / Section 020
RCW 42.23.020: Definitions.
Status: in_force

For the purpose of chapter 268, Laws of 1961: (1) "Municipality" shall include all counties, cities, towns, districts, and other municipal corporations and quasi municipal corporations organized under the laws of the state of Washington; (2) "Municipal officer" and "officer" shall each include all elected and appointed officers of a municipality, together with all deputies and assistants of such an officer, and all persons exercising or undertaking to exercise any of the powers or functions of a municipal officer; (3) "Contract" shall include any contract, sale, lease or purchase; (4) "Contracting party" shall include any person, partnership, association, cooperative, corporation, or other business entity which is a party to a contract with a municipality.
RCW 42.45.270 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 45 / Section 270
RCW 42.45.270: Uniform regulation of business and professions act—Application.
Status: in_force

The uniform regulation of business and professions act, chapter 18.235 RCW, governs unlicensed practice, the issuance and denial of licenses, and the discipline of licensees under this chapter.
RCW 42.23.010 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 23 / Section 010
RCW 42.23.010: Declaration of purpose.
Status: in_force

It is the purpose and intent of this chapter to revise and make uniform the laws of this state concerning the transaction of business by municipal officers, as defined in chapter 268, Laws of 1961, in conflict with the proper performance of their duties in the public interest; and to promote the efficiency of local government by prohibiting certain instances and areas of conflict while at the same time sanctioning, under sufficient controls, certain other instances and areas of conflict wherein the private interest of the municipal officer is deemed to be only remote, to the end that, without sacrificing necessary public responsibility and enforceability in areas of significant and clearly conflicting interests, the selection of municipal officers may be made from a wider group of responsible citizens of the communities which they are called upon to serve.
RCW 42.17A.755 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 755
RCW 42.17A.755: Violations—Determination by commission—Penalties—Procedure.
Status: in_force

(1) The commission may initiate or respond to a complaint, request a technical correction, or otherwise resolve matters of compliance with this chapter, in accordance with this section. If a complaint is filed with or initiated by the commission, the commission must: (a) Dismiss the complaint or otherwise resolve the matter in accordance with subsection (2) of this section, as appropriate under the circumstances after conducting a preliminary review; (b) Initiate an investigation to determine whether a violation has occurred, conduct hearings, and issue and enforce an appropriate order, in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW and subsection (3) of this section; or (c) Refer the matter to the attorney general, in accordance with subsection (4) of this section. (2)(a) For complaints of remediable violations or requests for technical corrections, the commission may, by rule, delegate authority to its executive director to resolve these matters in accordance with subsection (1)(a) of this section, provided the executive director consistently applies such authority. (b) The commission shall, by rule, develop additional processes by which a respondent may agree by stipulation to any allegations and pay a penalty subject to a schedule of violations and penalties, unless waived by the commission as provided for in this section. Any stipulation must be referred to the commission for review. If approved or modified by the commission, agreed to by the parties, and the respondent complies with all requirements set forth in the stipulation, the matter is then considered resolved and no further action or review is allowed. (3) If the commission initiates an investigation, an initial hearing must be held within ninety days of the complaint being filed. Following an investigation, in cases where it chooses to determine whether a violation has occurred, the commission shall hold a hearing pursuant to the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW. Any order that the commission issues under this section shall be pursuant to such a hearing. (a) The person against whom an order is directed under this section shall be designated as the respondent. The order may require the respondent to cease and desist from the activity that constitutes a violation and in addition, or alternatively, may impose one or more of the remedies provided in RCW 42.17A.750 (1) (b) through (h), or other requirements as the commission determines appropriate to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. (b) The commission may assess a penalty in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars per violation, unless the parties stipulate otherwise. Any order that the commission issues under this section that imposes a financial penalty must be made pursuant to a hearing, held in accordance with the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW. (c) The commission has the authority to waive a penalty for a first-time violation. A second violation of the same requirement by the same person, regardless if the person or individual committed the violation for a different political committee or incidental committee, shall result in a penalty. Successive violations of the same requirement shall result in successively increased penalties. The commission may suspend any portion of an assessed penalty contingent on future compliance with this chapter. The commission must create a schedule to enhance penalties based on repeat violations by the person. (d) Any order issued by the commission is subject to judicial review under the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW. If the commission's order is not satisfied and no petition for review is filed within thirty days, the commission may petition a court of competent jurisdiction of any county in which a petition for review could be filed under that jurisdiction, for an order of enforcement. Proceedings in connection with the commission's petition shall be in accordance with RCW 42.17A.760 . (4) In lieu of holding a hearing or issuing an order under this section, the commission may refer the matter to the attorney general consistent with this section, when the commission believes: (a) Additional authority is needed to ensure full compliance with this chapter; (b) An apparent violation potentially warrants a penalty greater than the commission's penalty authority; or (c) The maximum penalty the commission is able to levy is not enough to address the severity of the violation. (5) Prior to filing a citizen's action under RCW 42.17A.775 , a person who has filed a complaint pursuant to this section must provide written notice to the attorney general if the commission does not, within 90 [ninety] days of the complaint being filed with the commission, take action pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. A person must simultaneously provide a copy of the written notice to the commission.
RCW 42.17A.635 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 635
RCW 42.17A.635: Legislative activities of state agencies, other units of government, elective officials, employees.
Status: in_force

(1) The house of representatives and the senate shall report annually: The total budget; the portion of the total attributed to staff; and the number of full-time and part-time staff positions by assignment, with dollar figures as well as number of positions. (2) Unless authorized by subsection (3) of this section or otherwise expressly authorized by law, no public funds may be used directly or indirectly for lobbying. However, this does not prevent officers or employees of an agency from communicating with a member of the legislature on the request of that member; or communicating to the legislature, through the proper official channels, requests for legislative action or appropriations that are deemed necessary for the efficient conduct of the public business or actually made in the proper performance of their official duties. This subsection does not apply to the legislative branch. (3) Any agency, not otherwise expressly authorized by law, may expend public funds for lobbying, but such lobbying activity shall be limited to (a) providing information or communicating on matters pertaining to official agency business to any elected official or officer or employee of any agency or (b) advocating the official position or interests of the agency to any elected official or officer or employee of any agency. Public funds may not be expended as a direct or indirect gift or campaign contribution to any elected official or officer or employee of any agency. For the purposes of this subsection, "gift" means a voluntary transfer of any thing of value without consideration of equal or greater value, but does not include informational material transferred for the sole purpose of informing the recipient about matters pertaining to official agency business. This section does not permit the printing of a state publication that has been otherwise prohibited by law. (4) No elective official or any employee of his or her office or any person appointed to or employed by any public office or agency may use or authorize the use of any of the facilities of a public office or agency, directly or indirectly, in any effort to support or oppose an initiative to the legislature. "Facilities of a public office or agency" has the same meaning as in RCW 42.17A.555 and 42.52.180 . The provisions of this subsection 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 an initiative to the legislature so long as (i) any required notice of the meeting includes the title and number of the initiative to the legislature, 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 initiative to the legislature at an open press conference or in response to a specific inquiry; (c) Activities that are part of the normal and regular conduct of the office or agency; (d) Activities conducted regarding an initiative to the legislature that would be permitted under RCW 42.17A.555 and 42.52.180 if conducted regarding other ballot measures. (5) Each state agency, county, city, town, municipal corporation, quasi-municipal corporation, or special purpose district that expends public funds for lobbying shall file with the commission, except as exempted by (d) of this subsection, quarterly statements providing the following information for the quarter just completed: (a) The name of the agency filing the statement; (b) The name, title, and job description and salary of each elected official, officer, or employee who lobbied, a general description of the nature of the lobbying, and the proportionate amount of time spent on the lobbying; (c) A listing of expenditures incurred by the agency for lobbying including but not limited to travel, consultant or other special contractual services, and brochures and other publications, the principal purpose of which is to influence legislation; (d) For purposes of this subsection, "lobbying" does not include: (i) Requests for appropriations by a state agency to the office of financial management pursuant to chapter 43.88 RCW nor requests by the office of financial management to the legislature for appropriations other than its own agency budget requests; (ii) Recommendations or reports to the legislature in response to a legislative request expressly requesting or directing a specific study, recommendation, or report by an agency on a particular subject; (iii) Official reports including recommendations submitted to the legislature on an annual or biennial basis by a state agency as required by law; (iv) Requests, recommendations, or other communication between or within state agencies or between or within local agencies; (v) Any other lobbying to the extent that it includes: (A) Telephone conversations or preparation of written correspondence; (B) In-person lobbying on behalf of an agency of no more than four days or parts thereof during any three-month period by officers or employees of that agency and in-person lobbying by any elected official of such agency on behalf of such agency or in connection with the powers, duties, or compensation of such official. The total expenditures of nonpublic funds made in connection with such lobbying 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 may not exceed fifteen dollars for any three-month period. The exemption under this subsection (5)(d)(v)(B) is in addition to the exemption provided in (d)(v)(A) of this subsection; (C) Preparation or adoption of policy positions. The statements shall be in the form and the manner prescribed by the commission and shall be filed within one month after the end of the quarter covered by the report. (6) In lieu of reporting under subsection (5) of this section, any county, city, town, municipal corporation, quasi municipal corporation, or special purpose district may determine and so notify the public disclosure commission that elected officials, officers, or employees who, on behalf of any such local agency, engage in lobbying reportable under subsection (5) of this section shall register and report such reportable lobbying in the same manner as a lobbyist who is required to register and report under RCW 42.17A.600 and 42.17A.615 . Each such local agency shall report as a lobbyist employer pursuant to RCW 42.17A.630 . (7) The provisions of this section do not relieve any elected official or officer or employee of an agency from complying with other provisions of this chapter, if such elected official, officer, or employee is not otherwise exempted. (8) The purpose of this section is to require each state agency and certain local agencies to report the identities of those persons who lobby on behalf of the agency for compensation, together with certain separately identifiable and measurable expenditures of an agency's funds for that purpose. This section shall be reasonably construed to accomplish that purpose and not to require any agency to report any of its general overhead cost or any other costs that relate only indirectly or incidentally to lobbying or that are equally attributable to or inseparable from nonlobbying activities of the agency. The public disclosure commission may adopt rules clarifying and implementing this legislative interpretation and policy.
RCW 42.17A.310 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 310
RCW 42.17A.310: When a contribution.
Status: in_force

(1) An electioneering communication made by a person in cooperation, consultation, or concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, a candidate, a candidate's authorized committee, or their agents is a contribution to the candidate. (2) An electioneering communication made by a person in cooperation, consultation, or concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, a political committee or its agents is a contribution to the political committee. (3) If an electioneering communication is not a contribution pursuant to subsection (1) or (2) of this section, the sponsor shall file an affidavit or declaration so stating at the time the sponsor is required to report the electioneering communication expense under RCW 42.17A.305 .
RCW 42.52.8024 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 8024
RCW 42.52.8024: Exemption—Rosa Franklin legislative internship program scholarship.
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 Rosa Franklin legislative internship program scholarship account created in RCW 44.04.410 . Furthermore, this chapter does not prohibit any legislative member or legislative employee from soliciting gifts for the Rosa Franklin legislative internship program scholarship account.
RCW 42.20.050 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 20 / Section 050
RCW 42.20.050: Public officer making false certificate.
Status: in_force

Every public officer who, being authorized by law to make or give a certificate or other writing, shall knowingly make and deliver as true such a certificate or writing containing any statement which he or she knows to be false, in a case where the punishment thereof is not expressly prescribed by law, shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
RCW 42.52.187 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 187
RCW 42.52.187: Letters of recommendation or congratulations by legislators.
Status: in_force

It is not a violation of this chapter for a legislator to send by mail or email: (1) A letter of recommendation on behalf of an individual constituent if the constituent has requested the letter; (2) A congratulatory letter to an individual constituent who has received an award or honor of extraordinary distinction of a type that is sufficiently infrequent to be noteworthy to a reasonable person including, but not limited to: (a) An international or national award such as the Nobel prize or the Pulitzer prize; (b) a state award such as Washington scholar; (c) an Eagle Scout award; or (d) a Medal of Honor; or (3) Except when under a mailing restriction as provided in RCW 42.52.185 , a congratulatory letter to an individual constituent who has received an honor or award if the individual or a third party on the individual's behalf has requested the letter.
RCW 42.36.040 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 36 / Section 040
RCW 42.36.040: Public discussion by candidate for public office.
Status: in_force

Prior to declaring as a candidate for public office or while campaigning for public office as defined by RCW 42.17A.005 no public discussion or expression of an opinion by a person subsequently elected to a public office, on any pending or proposed quasi-judicial actions, shall be a violation of the appearance of fairness doctrine.
RCW 42.17A.500 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 500
RCW 42.17A.500: Agency shop fees as contributions.
Status: in_force

(1) A labor organization may not use agency shop fees paid by an individual who is not a member of the organization to make contributions or expenditures to influence an election or to operate a political committee, unless affirmatively authorized by the individual. (2) A labor organization does not use agency shop fees when it uses its general treasury funds to make such contributions or expenditures if it has sufficient revenues from sources other than agency shop fees in its general treasury to fund such contributions or expenditures.
RCW 42.26.080 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 26 / Section 080
RCW 42.26.080: Violation of petty cash account requirements.
Status: in_force

If a post audit by the state auditor discloses the amount of the petty cash account of any agency under this chapter to be excessive or the use of the account to be in violation of requirements governing its operation, the director of financial management may require the return of the account or of the excessive amount to the state treasury for credit to the fund from which the advance was made.
RCW 42.52.010 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 010
RCW 42.52.010: Definitions.
Status: in_force

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter. (1) "Agency" means any state board, commission, bureau, committee, department, institution, division, or tribunal in the legislative, executive, or judicial branch of state government. "Agency" includes all elective offices, the state legislature, those institutions of higher education created and supported by the state government, and those courts that are parts of state government. "Agency" does not include a comprehensive cancer center participating in a collaborative arrangement as defined in RCW 28B.10.930 that is operated in conformance with RCW 28B.10.930 . (2) "Appearance" means the act of performing or participating in an event. (3) "Assist" means to act, or offer or agree to act, in such a way as to help, aid, advise, furnish information to, or otherwise provide assistance to another person, believing that the action is of help, aid, advice, or assistance to the person and with intent so to assist such person. (4) "Beneficial interest" means a financial interest in a contract, sale, lease, purchase, or grant to which an individual subject to the act is not a party, but is an owner of an entity that is a party. An ownership interest of less than 10 percent of an entity is not a beneficial interest. However, an ownership interest in a mutual fund or similar investment pooling fund in which the owner has no management powers does not constitute a beneficial interest in the entities in which the fund or pool invests. (5) "Charitable association, institution, or organization" means any entity that provides services beneficial to the public to an open class of people. (6) "Civic organization" means a nonprofit group relating to the duties or activities of people in relation to their town, city, or local area. (7) "Community organization" means an organization aimed at making desired improvements to a community's social health, well-being, and overall functioning. (8) "Compensation" means anything of economic value, however designated, that is paid, loaned, granted, or transferred, or to be paid, loaned, granted, or transferred for, or in consideration of, personal services to any person. (9) "Confidential information" means (a) specific information, rather than generalized knowledge, that is not available to the general public on request or (b) information made confidential by law. (10) "Contract" or "grant" means an agreement between two or more persons that creates an obligation to do or not to do a particular thing. "Contract" or "grant" includes, but is not limited to, an employment contract, a lease, a license, a purchase agreement, or a sales agreement. (11) "Emergency" means a serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action. (12) "Ethics boards" means the commission on judicial conduct, the legislative ethics board, and the executive ethics board. (13) "Extraordinary award" means a national, state, or local award with very few recipients that is sufficiently infrequent to be noteworthy to a reasonable person. (14) "Family" has the same meaning as "immediate family" in RCW 42.17A.005 . (15) "Federal holiday" means the legal public holidays provided in 5 U.S.C. Sec. 6103(a), as it existed on July 27, 2025. (16) "Head of agency" means the chief executive officer of an agency. In the case of an agency headed by a commission, board, committee, or other body consisting of more than one natural person, agency head means the person or board authorized to appoint agency employees and regulate their conduct. (17) "Honorarium" means money or thing of value offered to a state officer or state employee for a speech, appearance, article, or similar item or activity in connection with the state officer's or state employee's official role. (18) "Institution of higher education" has the same meaning as in RCW 28B.10.016 . (19) "Lobbying the legislature" means attempting to influence the passage or defeat of any legislation by the legislature of the state of Washington. (20) "Official duty" means those duties within the specific scope of employment of the state officer or state employee as defined by the officer's or employee's agency or by statute or the state Constitution. (21) "Official position" means holding an office or having authority. (22) "Participate" means to participate in state action or a proceeding personally and substantially as a state officer or state employee, through approval, disapproval, decision, recommendation, the rendering of advice, investigation, or otherwise but does not include preparation, consideration, or enactment of legislation or the performance of legislative duties. (23) "Person" means any individual, partnership, association, corporation, firm, institution, or other entity, whether or not operated for profit. (24) "Regulatory agency" means any state board, commission, department, or officer, except those in the legislative or judicial branches, authorized by law to conduct adjudicative proceedings, issue permits or licenses, or to control or affect interests of identified persons. (25) "Responsibility" in connection with a transaction involving the state, means the direct administrative or operating authority, whether intermediate or final, and either exercisable alone or through subordinates, effectively to approve, disapprove, or otherwise direct state action in respect of such transaction. (26) "State action" means any action on the part of an agency, including, but not limited to: (a) A decision, determination, finding, ruling, or order; and (b) A grant, payment, award, license, contract, transaction, sanction, or approval, or the denial thereof, or failure to act with respect to a decision, determination, finding, ruling, or order. (27) "State employee" means an individual who is employed by an agency in any branch of state government. For purposes of this chapter, employees of the superior courts are not state officers or state employees. (28) "State officer" means every person holding a position of public trust in or under an executive, legislative, or judicial office of the state. "State officer" includes judges of the superior court, judges of the court of appeals, justices of the supreme court, members of the legislature together with the secretary of the senate and the chief clerk of the house of representatives, holders of elective offices in the executive branch of state government, chief executive officers of state agencies, members of boards, commissions, or committees with authority over one or more state agencies or institutions, and employees of the state who are engaged in supervisory, policy-making, or policy-enforcing work. For the purposes of this chapter, "state officer" also includes any person exercising or undertaking to exercise the powers or functions of a state officer. (29) "Thing of economic value," in addition to its ordinary meaning, includes: (a) A loan, property interest, interest in a contract or other chose in action, and employment or another arrangement involving a right to compensation; (b) An option, irrespective of the conditions to the exercise of the option; and (c) A promise or undertaking for the present or future delivery or procurement. (30)(a) "Transaction involving the state" means a proceeding, application, submission, request for a ruling or other determination, contract, claim, case, or other similar matter that the state officer, state employee, or former state officer or state employee in question believes, or has reason to believe: (i) Is, or will be, the subject of state action; or (ii) Is one to which the state is or will be a party; or (iii) Is one in which the state has a direct and substantial proprietary interest. (b) "Transaction involving the state" does not include the following: Preparation, consideration, or enactment of legislation, including appropriation of moneys in a budget, or the performance of legislative duties by an officer or employee; or a claim, case, lawsuit, or similar matter if the officer or employee did not participate in the underlying transaction involving the state that is the basis for the claim, case, or lawsuit. (31) "University" includes "state universities" and "regional universities" as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 and also includes any research or technology institute affiliated with a university. (32) "University research employee" means a state officer or state employee employed by a university, but only to the extent the state officer or state employee is engaged in research, technology transfer, approved consulting activities related to research and technology transfer, or other incidental activities.
RCW 42.12.010 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 12 / Section 010
RCW 42.12.010: Causes of vacancy.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 5974-S2.SL ) ***

Every elective office shall become vacant on the happening of any of the following events: (1) The death of the incumbent; (2) His or her resignation. A vacancy caused by resignation shall be deemed to occur upon the effective date of the resignation; (3) His or her removal; (4) Except as provided in RCW * 3.46.067 and 3.50.057 , his or her ceasing to be a legally registered voter of the district, county, city, town, or other municipal or quasi municipal corporation from which he or she shall have been elected or appointed, including where applicable the council district, commissioner district, or ward from which he or she shall have been elected or appointed; (5) His or her conviction of a felony, or of any offense involving a violation of his or her official oath; (6) His or her refusal or neglect to take his or her oath of office, or to give or renew his or her official bond, or to deposit such oath or bond within the time prescribed by law; (7) The decision of a competent tribunal declaring void his or her election or appointment; or (8) Whenever a judgment shall be obtained against that incumbent for breach of the condition of his or her official bond.
RCW 42.08.150 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 08 / Section 150
RCW 42.08.150: Number of sureties.
Status: in_force

Unless otherwise expressly provided, there shall be at least two sureties upon the official bond of every officer.
RCW 42.17A.600 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 600
RCW 42.17A.600: Registration of lobbyists.
Status: in_force

(1) Before lobbying, or within thirty days after being employed as a lobbyist, whichever occurs first, unless exempt under RCW 42.17A.610 , a lobbyist shall register by filing with the commission a lobbyist registration statement, in such detail as the commission shall prescribe, that includes the following information: (a) The lobbyist's name, permanent business address, electronic contact information, and any temporary residential and business addresses in Thurston county during the legislative session; (b) The name, address and occupation or business of the lobbyist's employer; (c) The duration of the lobbyist's employment; (d) The compensation to be received for lobbying, the amount to be paid for expenses, and what expenses are to be reimbursed; (e) Whether the lobbyist is employed solely as a lobbyist or whether the lobbyist is a regular employee performing services for the lobbyist's employer which include but are not limited to the influencing of legislation; (f) The general subject or subjects to be lobbied; (g) A written authorization from each of the lobbyist's employers confirming such employment; (h) The name, address, and electronic contact information of the person who will have custody of the accounts, bills, receipts, books, papers, and documents required to be kept under this chapter; (i) If the lobbyist's employer is an entity (including, but not limited to, business and trade associations) whose members include, or which as a representative entity undertakes lobbying activities for, businesses, groups, associations, or organizations, the name and address of each member of such entity or person represented by such entity whose fees, dues, payments, or other consideration paid to such entity during either of the prior two years have exceeded *five hundred dollars or who is obligated to or has agreed to pay fees, dues, payments, or other consideration exceeding *five hundred dollars to such entity during the current year; (j) An attestation that the lobbyist has read and completed a training course provided under RCW 44.04.390 regarding the legislative code of conduct and any policies related to appropriate conduct adopted by the senate or the house of representatives. (2) Any lobbyist who receives or is to receive compensation from more than one person for lobbying shall file a separate notice of representation for each person. However, if two or more persons are jointly paying or contributing to the payment of the lobbyist, the lobbyist may file a single statement detailing the name, business address, and occupation of each person paying or contributing and the respective amounts to be paid or contributed. (3) Whenever a change, modification, or termination of the lobbyist's employment occurs, the lobbyist shall file with the commission an amended registration statement within one week of the change, modification, or termination. (4) Each registered lobbyist shall file a new registration statement, revised as appropriate, on the second Monday in January of each odd-numbered year. Failure to do so terminates the lobbyist's registration.
RCW 42.56.355 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 355
RCW 42.56.355: Interstate medical licensure compact.
Status: in_force

(1) Information distributed to any Washington health profession board or commission by an interstate health professions licensure compact or member boards as described in RCW 18.71B.080 (6) of the interstate medical licensure compact is exempt from disclosure under this chapter. This exemption does not prohibit the requestor from requesting these documents from the state of origin. (2) This exemption does not pertain to any records created by Washington health profession boards or commissions from the documents described in subsection (1) of this section. Records created by Washington health profession boards or commissions from the documents described in subsection (1) of this section may be exempt under other sections of this chapter.
RCW 42.26.050 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 26 / Section 050
RCW 42.26.050: Request for petty cash advancement—Approval.
Status: in_force

The agency requesting a petty cash account or an increase in the amount of petty cash advanced under the provisions of this chapter shall submit its request to the director of financial management in the form and detail prescribed by him or her. The agency's written request and the approval authorized by this chapter shall be the only documentation or certification required as a condition precedent to the issuance of such warrant. A copy of his or her approval shall be forwarded by the director of financial management to the state treasurer.
RCW 42.56.050 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 050
RCW 42.56.050: Invasion of privacy, when.
Status: in_force

A person's "right to privacy," "right of privacy," "privacy," or "personal privacy," as these terms are used in this chapter, is invaded or violated only if disclosure of information about the person: (1) Would be highly offensive to a reasonable person, and (2) is not of legitimate concern to the public. The provisions of this chapter dealing with the right to privacy in certain public records do not create any right of privacy beyond those rights that are specified in this chapter as express exemptions from the public's right to inspect, examine, or copy public records.
RCW 42.17A.445 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 445
RCW 42.17A.445: Personal use of contributions—When permitted.
Status: in_force

Contributions received and reported in accordance with RCW 42.17A.220 through 42.17A.240 and 42.17A.425 may only be paid to a candidate, or a treasurer or other individual or expended for such individual's personal use under the following circumstances: (1) Reimbursement for or payments to cover lost earnings incurred as a result of campaigning or services performed for the political committee. Lost earnings shall be verifiable as unpaid salary, or when the individual is not salaried, as an amount not to exceed income received by the individual for services rendered during an appropriate, corresponding time period. All lost earnings incurred shall be documented and a record shall be maintained by the candidate or the candidate's authorized committee in accordance with RCW 42.17A.235 . (2) Reimbursement for direct out-of-pocket election campaign and postelection campaign related expenses made by the individual. For example, expenses for child care or other direct caregiving responsibilities may be reimbursed if they are incurred directly as a result of the candidate's campaign activities. To receive reimbursement from the political committee, the individual shall provide the political committee with written documentation as to the amount, date, and description of each expense, and the political committee shall include a copy of such information when its expenditure for such reimbursement is reported pursuant to RCW 42.17A.240 . (3) Repayment of loans made by the individual to political committees shall be reported pursuant to RCW 42.17A.240 . However, contributions may not be used to reimburse a candidate for loans totaling more than *four thousand seven hundred dollars made by the candidate to the candidate's own authorized committee.
RCW 42.56.565 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 565
RCW 42.56.565: Inspection or copying by persons serving criminal sentences—Injunction.
Status: in_force

(1) A court shall not award penalties under RCW 42.56.550 (4) to a person who was serving a criminal sentence in a state, local, or privately operated correctional facility on the date the request for public records was made, unless the court finds that the agency acted in bad faith in denying the person the opportunity to inspect or copy a public record. (2) The inspection or copying of any nonexempt public record by persons serving criminal sentences in state, local, or privately operated correctional facilities may be enjoined pursuant to this section. (a) The injunction may be requested by: (i) An agency or its representative; (ii) a person named in the record or his or her representative; or (iii) a person to whom the requests specifically pertains or his or her representative. (b) The request must be filed in: (i) The superior court in which the movant resides; or (ii) the superior court in the county in which the record is maintained. (c) In order to issue an injunction, the court must find that: (i) The request was made to harass or intimidate the agency or its employees; (ii) Fulfilling the request would likely threaten the security of correctional facilities; (iii) Fulfilling the request would likely threaten the safety or security of staff, inmates, family members of staff, family members of other inmates, or any other person; or (iv) Fulfilling the request may assist criminal activity. (3) In deciding whether to enjoin a request under subsection (2) of this section, the court may consider all relevant factors including, but not limited to: (a) Other requests by the requestor; (b) The type of record or records sought; (c) Statements offered by the requestor concerning the purpose for the request; (d) Whether disclosure of the requested records would likely harm any person or vital government interest; (e) Whether the request seeks a significant and burdensome number of documents; (f) The impact of disclosure on correctional facility security and order, the safety or security of correctional facility staff, inmates, or others; and (g) The deterrence of criminal activity. (4) The motion proceeding described in this section shall be a summary proceeding based on affidavits or declarations, unless the court orders otherwise. Upon a showing by a preponderance of the evidence, the court may enjoin all or any part of a request or requests. Based on the evidence, the court may also enjoin, for a period of time the court deems reasonable, future requests by: (a) The same requestor; or (b) An entity owned or controlled in whole or in part by the same requestor. (5) An agency shall not be liable for penalties under RCW 42.56.550 (4) for any period during which an order under this section is in effect, including during an appeal of an order under this section, regardless of the outcome of the appeal.
RCW 42.08.110 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 08 / Section 110
RCW 42.08.110: Procedure when bond of county or township officer is insufficient.
Status: in_force

Whenever the sureties, or any one of them, in the official bond of any county or township officer shall die, remove from the state, become insolvent or insufficient, or the penalty of such bond shall become insufficient, on account of recoveries had thereon, or otherwise, it shall be the duty of the board of county commissioners of the proper county, of their own motion, or on the showing of any person, supported by affidavit, to summon any such officer to appear before them at a stated time, not less than five days after service of such summons, and show cause why he or she should not execute an additional official bond with good and sufficient sureties.
RCW 42.17A.065 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 065
RCW 42.17A.065: Access performance measures.
Status: in_force

By July 1st of each year, the commission shall calculate the following performance measures, provide a copy of the performance measures to the governor and appropriate legislative committees, and make the performance measures available to the public: (1) The average number of days that elapse between the commission's receipt of reports filed under RCW 42.17A.205 , 42.17A.225 , 42.17A.235 , 42.17A.255 , 42.17A.265 , 42.17A.600 , 42.17A.615 , 42.17A.625 , and 42.17A.630 and the time that the report, a copy of the report, or a copy of the data or information included in the report, is first accessible to the general public (a) in the commission's office, and (b) via the commission's website; (2) The percentage of filers pursuant to RCW 42.17A.055 who have used: (a) Hard copy paper format; or (b) electronic format.
RCW 42.17A.465 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 465
RCW 42.17A.465: Restriction on loans.
Status: in_force

(1) A loan is considered to be a contribution from the lender and any guarantor of the loan and is subject to the contribution limitations of this chapter. The full amount of the loan shall be attributed to the lender and to each guarantor. (2) A loan to a candidate for public office or the candidate's authorized committee must be by written agreement. (3) The proceeds of a loan made to a candidate for public office: (a) By a commercial lending institution; (b) Made in the regular course of business; and (c) On the same terms ordinarily available to members of the public, are not subject to the contribution limits of this chapter.
RCW 42.41.060 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 41 / Section 060
RCW 42.41.060: Local government administrative hearings account.
Status: in_force

The local government administrative hearings account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts from penalties in RCW 42.41.040 and the surcharges under RCW 43.09.2801 shall be deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only for administrative hearings under this chapter. Only the chief administrative law judge or his or her designee may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for expenditures.
RCW 42.45.250 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 45 / Section 250
RCW 42.45.250: Rules.
Status: in_force

(1) The director may adopt rules necessary to implement this chapter. (2) In adopting, amending, or repealing rules about notarial acts with respect to electronic records, the director shall consider standards, practices, and customs of other jurisdictions that substantially enact this chapter.
RCW 42.17A.603 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 603
RCW 42.17A.603: Code of conduct—Verification—Penalty.
Status: in_force

(1) A lobbyist who is registered under RCW 42.17A.600 before December 31, 2019, is required to update the lobbyist's registration materials to include the attestation required by RCW 42.17A.600 (1)(j) by December 31, 2019. (2) The commission shall revoke the registration of any lobbyist registered under RCW 42.17A.600 who does not comply with subsection (1) of this section. (3) The commission may not impose any other penalty on a lobbyist registered under RCW 42.17A.600 for failure to comply with subsection (1) of this section. (4) The commission shall collaborate with the chief clerk of the house of representatives and the secretary of the senate to develop a process to verify that lobbyists who submit an attestation under RCW 42.17A.600 (1)(j) have completed the training course provided under RCW 44.04.390 .
RCW 42.48.050 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 48 / Section 050
RCW 42.48.050: Unauthorized disclosure—Penalties.
Status: in_force

Unauthorized disclosure, whether wilful or negligent, by a research professional who has obtained an individually identifiable personal record or record information from a state agency pursuant to RCW 42.48.020 (2) is a gross misdemeanor. In addition, violation of any provision of this chapter by the research professional or the state agency may subject the research professional or the agency to a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars for each such violation.
RCW 42.17A.450 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 450
RCW 42.17A.450: Attribution and aggregation of family contributions.
Status: in_force

(1) Contributions by spouses are considered separate contributions. (2) Contributions by unemancipated children under eighteen years of age are considered contributions by their parents and are attributed proportionately to each parent. Fifty percent of the contributions are attributed to each parent or, in the case of a single custodial parent, the total amount is attributed to the parent.
RCW 42.52.110 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 110
RCW 42.52.110: Compensation for official duties or nonperformance.
Status: in_force

No state officer or state employee may, directly or indirectly, ask for or give or receive or agree to receive any compensation, gift, reward, or gratuity from a source for performing or omitting or deferring the performance of any official duty, unless otherwise authorized by law except: (1) The state of Washington; or (2) in the case of officers or employees of institutions of higher education, a governmental entity, an agency or instrumentality of a governmental entity, or a nonprofit corporation organized for the benefit and support of the state employee's agency or other state agencies pursuant to an agreement with the state employee's agency.
RCW 42.56.070 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 070
RCW 42.56.070: Documents and indexes to be made public—Statement of costs.
Status: in_force

(1) Each agency, in accordance with published rules, shall make available for public inspection and copying all public records, unless the record falls within the specific exemptions of subsection (8) of this section, this chapter, or other statute which exempts or prohibits disclosure of specific information or records. To the extent required to prevent an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy interests protected by this chapter, an agency shall delete identifying details in a manner consistent with this chapter when it makes available or publishes any public record; however, in each case, the justification for the deletion shall be explained fully in writing. (2) For informational purposes, each agency shall publish and maintain a current list containing every law, other than those listed in this chapter, that the agency believes exempts or prohibits disclosure of specific information or records of the agency. An agency's failure to list an exemption shall not affect the efficacy of any exemption. (3) Each local agency shall maintain and make available for public inspection and copying a current index providing identifying information as to the following records issued, adopted, or promulgated after January 1, 1973: (a) Final opinions, including concurring and dissenting opinions, as well as orders, made in the adjudication of cases; (b) Those statements of policy and interpretations of policy, statute, and the Constitution which have been adopted by the agency; (c) Administrative staff manuals and instructions to staff that affect a member of the public; (d) Planning policies and goals, and interim and final planning decisions; (e) Factual staff reports and studies, factual consultant's reports and studies, scientific reports and studies, and any other factual information derived from tests, studies, reports, or surveys, whether conducted by public employees or others; and (f) Correspondence, and materials referred to therein, by and with the agency relating to any regulatory, supervisory, or enforcement responsibilities of the agency, whereby the agency determines, or opines upon, or is asked to determine or opine upon, the rights of the state, the public, a subdivision of state government, or of any private party. (4) A local agency need not maintain such an index, if to do so would be unduly burdensome, but it shall in that event: (a) Issue and publish a formal order specifying the reasons why and the extent to which compliance would unduly burden or interfere with agency operations; and (b) Make available for public inspection and copying all indexes maintained for agency use. (5) Each state agency shall, by rule, establish and implement a system of indexing for the identification and location of the following records: (a) All records issued before July 1, 1990, for which the agency has maintained an index; (b) Final orders entered after June 30, 1990, that are issued in adjudicative proceedings as defined in RCW 34.05.010 and that contain an analysis or decision of substantial importance to the agency in carrying out its duties; (c) Declaratory orders entered after June 30, 1990, that are issued pursuant to RCW 34.05.240 and that contain an analysis or decision of substantial importance to the agency in carrying out its duties; (d) Interpretive statements as defined in RCW 34.05.010 that were entered after June 30, 1990; and (e) Policy statements as defined in RCW 34.05.010 that were entered after June 30, 1990. Rules establishing systems of indexing shall include, but not be limited to, requirements for the form and content of the index, its location and availability to the public, and the schedule for revising or updating the index. State agencies that have maintained indexes for records issued before July 1, 1990, shall continue to make such indexes available for public inspection and copying. Information in such indexes may be incorporated into indexes prepared pursuant to this subsection. State agencies may satisfy the requirements of this subsection by making available to the public indexes prepared by other parties but actually used by the agency in its operations. State agencies shall make indexes available for public inspection and copying. State agencies may charge a fee to cover the actual costs of providing individual mailed copies of indexes. (6) A public record may be relied on, used, or cited as precedent by an agency against a party other than an agency and it may be invoked by the agency for any other purpose only if: (a) It has been indexed in an index available to the public; or (b) Parties affected have timely notice (actual or constructive) of the terms thereof. (7) Each agency may establish, maintain, and make available for public inspection and copying a statement of the actual costs that it charges for providing photocopies or electronically produced copies, of public records and a statement of the factors and manner used to determine the actual costs. Any statement of costs may be adopted by an agency only after providing notice and public hearing. (a)(i) In determining the actual cost for providing copies of public records, an agency may include all costs directly incident to copying such public records including: (A) The actual cost of the paper and the per page cost for use of agency copying equipment; and (B) The actual cost of the electronic production or file transfer of the record and the use of any cloud-based data storage and processing service. (ii) In determining other actual costs for providing copies of public records, an agency may include all costs directly incident to: (A) Shipping such public records, including the cost of postage or delivery charges and the cost of any container or envelope used; and (B) Transmitting such records in an electronic format, including the cost of any transmission charge and use of any physical media device provided by the agency. (b) In determining the actual costs for providing copies of public records, an agency may not include staff salaries, benefits, or other general administrative or overhead charges, unless those costs are directly related to the actual cost of copying the public records. Staff time to copy and send the requested public records may be included in an agency's costs. (8) This chapter shall not be construed as giving authority to any agency, the office of the secretary of the senate, or the office of the chief clerk of the house of representatives to give, sell or provide access to lists of individuals requested for commercial purposes, and agencies, the office of the secretary of the senate, and the office of the chief clerk of the house of representatives shall not do so unless specifically authorized or directed by law: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That lists of applicants for professional licenses and of professional licensees shall be made available to those professional associations or educational organizations recognized by their professional licensing or examination board, upon payment of a reasonable charge therefor: PROVIDED FURTHER, That such recognition may be refused only for a good cause pursuant to a hearing under the provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW, the administrative procedure act.
RCW 42.04.060 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 04 / Section 060
RCW 42.04.060: Business hours—Posting on website.
Status: in_force

Except as provided in section 3, chapter 32, Laws of 2010 1st sp. sess., all state elective and appointive officers shall keep their offices open for the transaction of business for a minimum of forty hours per week, except weeks that include state legal holidays. Customary business hours must be posted on the agency or office's website and made known by other means designed to provide the public with notice.
RCW 42.56.594 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 594
RCW 42.56.594: Personal information—Consumer protection.
Status: in_force

(1) Any waiver of the provisions of RCW 42.56.590 or 42.56.592 is contrary to public policy, and is void and unenforceable. (2)(a) Any consumer injured by a violation of RCW 42.56.590 may institute a civil action to recover damages. (b) Any agency that violates, proposes to violate, or has violated RCW 42.56.590 may be enjoined. (c) The rights and remedies available under RCW 42.56.590 are cumulative to each other and to any other rights and remedies available under law.
RCW 42.52.060 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 060
RCW 42.52.060: Testimony of state officers and state employees.
Status: in_force

This chapter does not prevent a state officer or state employee from giving testimony under oath or from making statements required to be made under penalty of perjury or contempt.
RCW 42.17A.255 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 255
RCW 42.17A.255: Special reports—Independent expenditures.
Status: in_force

(1) For the purposes of this section the term "independent expenditure" means any expenditure that is made in support of or in opposition to any candidate or ballot proposition and is not otherwise required to be reported pursuant to RCW 42.17A.225 , 42.17A.235 , and 42.17A.240 . "Independent expenditure" does not include: An internal political communication primarily limited to the contributors to a political party organization or political action committee, or the officers, management staff, and stockholders of a corporation or similar enterprise, or the members of a labor organization or other membership organization; or the rendering of personal services of the sort commonly performed by volunteer campaign workers, or incidental expenses personally incurred by volunteer campaign workers not in excess of fifty dollars personally paid for by the worker. "Volunteer services," for the purposes of this section, means services or labor for which the individual is not compensated by any person. (2) Within five days after the date of making an independent expenditure that by itself or when added to all other such independent expenditures made during the same election campaign by the same person equals one hundred dollars or more, or within five days after the date of making an independent expenditure for which no reasonable estimate of monetary value is practicable, whichever occurs first, the person who made the independent expenditure shall file with the commission an initial report of all independent expenditures made during the campaign prior to and including such date. (3) At the following intervals each person who is required to file an initial report pursuant to subsection (2) of this section shall file with the commission a further report of the independent expenditures made since the date of the last report: (a) On the twenty-first day and the seventh day preceding the date on which the election is held; and (b) On the tenth day of the first month after the election; and (c) On the tenth day of each month in which no other reports are required to be filed pursuant to this section. However, the further reports required by this subsection (3) shall only be filed if the reporting person has made an independent expenditure since the date of the last previous report filed. The report filed pursuant to (a) of this subsection (3) shall be the final report, and upon submitting such final report the duties of the reporting person shall cease, and there shall be no obligation to make any further reports. (4) All reports filed pursuant to this section shall be certified as correct by the reporting person. (5) Each report required by subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall disclose for the period beginning at the end of the period for the last previous report filed or, in the case of an initial report, beginning at the time of the first independent expenditure, and ending not more than one business day before the date the report is due: (a) The name, address, and electronic contact information of the person filing the report; (b) The name and address of each person to whom an independent expenditure was made in the aggregate amount of more than fifty dollars, and the amount, date, and purpose of each such expenditure. If no reasonable estimate of the monetary value of a particular independent expenditure is practicable, it is sufficient to report instead a precise description of services, property, or rights furnished through the expenditure and where appropriate to attach a copy of the item produced or distributed by the expenditure; (c) The total sum of all independent expenditures made during the campaign to date; (d) A statement from the person making an independent expenditure that: (i) The expenditure is not financed in any part by a foreign national; and (ii) Foreign nationals are not involved in making decisions regarding the expenditure in any way; and (e) Such other information as shall be required by the commission by rule in conformance with the policies and purposes of this chapter.
RCW 42.20.090 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 20 / Section 090
RCW 42.20.090: Misappropriation, etc., by treasurer.
Status: in_force

Every state, county, city, or town treasurer who willfully misappropriates any moneys, funds, or securities received by or deposited with him or her as such treasurer, or who shall be guilty of any other malfeasance or willful neglect of duty in his or her office, is guilty of a class C felony and shall be punished by imprisonment in a state correctional facility for not more than five years or by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars.
RCW 42.17A.160 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 160
RCW 42.17A.160: Subpoenas.
Status: in_force

(1) The commission may apply for and obtain a superior court order approving and authorizing a subpoena in advance of its issuance. The application may be made in Thurston county, the county where the subpoenaed person resides or is found, or the county where the subpoenaed documents, records, or evidence are located. The application must: (a) State that an order is sought under this section; (b) Adequately specify the documents, records, evidence, or testimony; and (c) Include a declaration made under oath that an investigation is being conducted for a lawfully authorized purpose related to an investigation within the commission's authority and that the subpoenaed documents, records, evidence, or testimony are reasonably related to an investigation within the commission's authority. (2) When an application under this section is made to the satisfaction of the court, the court must issue an order approving the subpoena. An order under this subsection constitutes authority of law for the agency to subpoena the documents, records, evidence, or testimony. (3) The commission may seek approval and a court may issue an order under this section without prior notice to any person, including the person to whom the subpoena is directed and the person who is the subject of an investigation. An application for court approval is subject to the fee and process set forth in RCW 36.18.012 (3).
RCW 42.14.060 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 14 / Section 060
RCW 42.14.060: Appointed officers of the state.
Status: in_force

The governor shall, subject to such rules and regulations as he or she may adopt, permit each appointed officer of the state to designate temporary interim successors to the office of such officer.
RCW 42.17A.705 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 705
RCW 42.17A.705: "Executive state officer" defined.
Status: in_force

For the purposes of RCW 42.17A.700 , "executive state officer" includes: (1) The chief administrative law judge, the director of agriculture, the director of the department of services for the blind, the secretary of children, youth, and families, the director of the state system of community and technical colleges, the director of commerce, the director of Washington technology solutions, the secretary of corrections, the director of ecology, the commissioner of employment security, the chair of the energy facility site evaluation council, the director of enterprise services, the secretary of the state finance committee, the director of financial management, the director of fish and wildlife, the executive secretary of the forest practices appeals board, the director of the gambling commission, the secretary of health, the administrator of the Washington state health care authority, the executive secretary of the health care facilities authority, the executive secretary of the higher education facilities authority, the executive secretary of the horse racing commission, the executive secretary of the human rights commission, the executive secretary of the indeterminate sentence review board, the executive director of the state investment board, the director of labor and industries, the director of licensing, the director of the lottery commission, the director of the office of minority and women's business enterprises, the director of parks and recreation, the executive director of the public disclosure commission, the executive director of the Puget Sound partnership, the director of the recreation and conservation office, the director of retirement systems, the director of revenue, the secretary of social and health services, the chief of the Washington state patrol, the executive secretary of the board of tax appeals, the secretary of transportation, the secretary of the utilities and transportation commission, the director of veterans affairs, the president of each of the regional and state universities and the president of The Evergreen State College, and each district and each campus president of each state community college; (2) Each professional staff member of the office of the governor; (3) Each professional staff member of the legislature; and (4) Central Washington University board of trustees, the boards of trustees of each community college and each technical college, each member of the state board for community and technical colleges, state convention and trade center board of directors, Eastern Washington University board of trustees, Washington economic development finance authority, Washington energy northwest executive board, The Evergreen State College board of trustees, executive ethics board, fish and wildlife commission, forest practices appeals board, forest practices board, gambling commission, Washington health care facilities authority, student achievement council, higher education facilities authority, horse racing commission, state housing finance commission, human rights commission, indeterminate sentence review board, board of industrial insurance appeals, state investment board, commission on judicial conduct, legislative ethics board, life sciences discovery fund authority board of trustees, state liquor and cannabis board, lottery commission, Pacific Northwest electric power and conservation planning council, parks and recreation commission, Washington personnel resources board, board of pilotage commissioners, pollution control hearings board, public disclosure commission, public employees' benefits board, recreation and conservation funding board, salmon recovery funding board, shorelines hearings board, board of tax appeals, transportation commission, University of Washington board of regents, utilities and transportation commission, Washington State University board of regents, and Western Washington University board of trustees.
RCW 42.52.420 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 420
RCW 42.52.420: Investigation.
Status: in_force

(1) After the filing of any complaint, except as provided in RCW 42.52.450 , the staff of the appropriate ethics board shall investigate the complaint. The ethics board may request the assistance of the office of the attorney general or a contract investigator in conducting its investigation. (2) The results of the investigation shall be reduced to writing and the staff shall either make a determination that the complaint should be dismissed pursuant to RCW 42.52.425 , or recommend to the board that there is or that there is not reasonable cause to believe that a violation of this chapter or rules adopted under it has been or is being committed. (3) The board's determination on reasonable cause shall be provided to the complainant and to the person named in such complaint. (4) The identity of a person filing a complaint under RCW 42.52.410 (1) is exempt from public disclosure, as provided in RCW 42.56.240 .
RCW 42.56.335 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 335
RCW 42.56.335: Public utility districts and municipally owned electrical utilities—Restrictions on access by law enforcement authorities.
Status: in_force

A law enforcement authority may not request inspection or copying of records of any person who belongs to a public utility district or a municipally owned electrical utility unless the authority provides the public utility district or municipally owned electrical utility with a written statement in which the authority states that it suspects that the particular person to whom the records pertain has committed a crime and the authority has a reasonable belief that the records could determine or help determine whether the suspicion might be true. Information obtained in violation of this section is inadmissible in any criminal proceeding.
RCW 42.17A.425 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 425
RCW 42.17A.425: Expenditures—Authorization of and restrictions on.
Status: in_force

No expenditures may be made or incurred by any candidate or political committee unless authorized by the candidate or the person or persons named on the candidate's or committee's registration form. A record of all such expenditures shall be maintained by the treasurer. No expenditure of more than fifty dollars may be made in currency unless a receipt, signed by the recipient and by the candidate or treasurer, is prepared and made a part of the campaign's or political committee's financial records.
RCW 42.56.270 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 270
RCW 42.56.270: Financial, commercial, and proprietary information.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2325-S2.SL ) ***

The following financial, commercial, and proprietary information is exempt from disclosure under this chapter: (1) Valuable formulae, designs, drawings, computer source code or object code, and research data obtained by any agency within five years of the request for disclosure when disclosure would produce private gain and public loss; (2) Financial information supplied by or on behalf of a person, firm, or corporation for the purpose of qualifying to submit a bid or proposal for (a) a ferry system construction or repair contract as required by RCW 47.60.680 through 47.60.750 ; (b) highway construction or improvement as required by RCW 47.28.070 ; or (c) alternative public works contracting procedures as required by RCW 39.10.200 through 39.10.905 ; (3) Financial and commercial information and records supplied by private persons pertaining to export services provided under chapters 43.163 and 53.31 RCW, and by persons pertaining to export projects under RCW 43.23.035 ; (4) Financial and commercial information and records supplied by businesses or individuals during application for loans or program services provided by chapters 43.325 , 43.163, 43.160, 43.330, 43.168, and 43.181 RCW and RCW 43.155.160 , or during application for economic development loans or program services provided by any local agency; (5) Financial information, business plans, examination reports, and any information produced or obtained in evaluating or examining a business and industrial development corporation organized or seeking certification under chapter 31.24 RCW; (6) Financial and commercial information supplied to the state investment board by any person when the information relates to the investment of public trust or retirement funds and when disclosure would result in loss to such funds or in private loss to the providers of this information; (7) Financial and valuable trade information under RCW 51.36.120 ; (8) Financial, commercial, operations, and technical and research information and data submitted to or obtained by the clean Washington center in applications for, or delivery of, program services under *chapter 70.95H RCW; (9) Financial and commercial information requested by the public stadium authority from any person or organization that leases or uses the stadium and exhibition center as defined in RCW 36.102.010 ; (10)(a) Financial information, including but not limited to account numbers and values, and other identification numbers supplied by or on behalf of a person, firm, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or other entity related to an application for a horse racing license submitted pursuant to RCW 67.16.260 (1)(b), cannabis producer, processor, or retailer license, liquor license, gambling license, or lottery retail license; (b) Proprietary financial and security information submitted to or obtained by the gambling commission from and on behalf of license applicants, licensees, gaming facilities, or a tribe pursuant to an approved tribal/state compact. Proprietary financial and security information includes, but is not limited to, the following: (i) Financial statements and transactions including but not limited to independent auditors' reports and financial statements with any supporting documents, bank account records, player tracking records, bond issuances, loan agreements, purchase agreements, and stock buyouts. However, quarterly license reports are not exempt; (ii) Information that describes the internal operational system or internal procedures of the gaming facility designed to promote efficiency, safeguard assets, and avoid fraud and error, including but not limited to records pertaining to security camera technical specifications, operation, and placement; cash out procedures and locations; cage security information; building access controls; and personally identifiable information control procedures; (iii) Gaming facility security information, including but not limited to descriptions of facility layout and schematics, firewall configurations, network topologies, source code, software files, cryptographic hashes of software files, risk and security assessment reports, disaster recovery plans, incident response plans, and any other sensitive information that may negatively impact the security of the facility if released; and (iv) Gaming equipment information, including but not limited to related hardware, software, and security information, such as firewall configurations, field testing data and results from testing, network topologies or diagrams, source code, software files, cryptographic hashes of software files, schematics, user credentials, system components, and any other sensitive information about the equipment that may compromise the security and integrity of the equipment if released; (c) Valuable formulae or financial or proprietary commercial information records received during a consultative visit or while providing consultative services to a licensed cannabis business in accordance with RCW 69.50.561 ; (11) Proprietary data, trade secrets, or other information that relates to: (a) A vendor's unique methods of conducting business; (b) data unique to the product or services of the vendor; or (c) determining prices or rates to be charged for services, submitted by any vendor to the department of social and health services or the health care authority for purposes of the development, acquisition, or implementation of state purchased health care as defined in RCW 41.05.011 ; (12)(a) When supplied to and in the records of the department of commerce: (i) Financial and proprietary information collected from any person and provided to the department of commerce pursuant to RCW 43.330.050 (8); (ii) Financial or proprietary information collected from any person and provided to the department of commerce or the office of the governor in connection with the siting, recruitment, expansion, retention, or relocation of that person's business and until a siting decision is made, identifying information of any person supplying information under this subsection and the locations being considered for siting, relocation, or expansion of a business; and (iii) Financial or proprietary information collected from any person and provided to the department of commerce pursuant to RCW 43.31.625 (3)(b) and (4); (b) When developed by the department of commerce based on information as described in (a)(i) of this subsection, any work product is not exempt from disclosure; (c) For the purposes of this subsection, "siting decision" means the decision to acquire or not to acquire a site; (d) If there is no written contact for a period of 60 days to the department of commerce from a person connected with siting, recruitment, expansion, retention, or relocation of that person's business, information described in (a)(ii) of this subsection will be available to the public under this chapter; (13) Financial and proprietary information submitted to or obtained by the department of ecology or the authority created under chapter 70A.500 RCW to implement chapter 70A.500 RCW; (14) Financial, commercial, operations, and technical and research information and data submitted to or obtained by the life sciences discovery fund authority in applications for, or delivery of, grants under RCW 43.330.502 , to the extent that such information, if revealed, would reasonably be expected to result in private loss to the providers of this information; (15) Financial and commercial information provided as evidence to the department of licensing as required by RCW 19.112.110 or 19.112.120 , except information disclosed in aggregate form that does not permit the identification of information related to individual fuel licensees; (16) Any production records, mineral assessments, and trade secrets submitted by a permit holder, mine operator, or landowner to the department of natural resources under RCW 78.44.085 ; (17)(a) Farm plans developed by conservation districts, unless permission to release the farm plan is granted by the landowner or operator who requested the plan, or the farm plan is used for the application or issuance of a permit; (b) Farm plans developed under chapter 90.48 RCW and not under the federal clean water act, 33 U.S.C. Sec. 1251 et seq., are subject to RCW 42.56.610 and 90.64.190 ; (18) Financial, commercial, operations, and technical and research information and data submitted to or obtained by a health sciences and services authority in applications for, or delivery of, grants under RCW 35.104.010 through 35.104.060 , to the extent that such information, if revealed, would reasonably be expected to result in private loss to providers of this information; (19) Information gathered under chapter 19.85 RCW or RCW 34.05.328 that can be identified to a particular business; (20) Financial and commercial information submitted to or obtained by the University of Washington, other than information the university is required to disclose under RCW 28B.20.150 , when the information relates to investments in private funds, to the extent that such information, if revealed, would reasonably be expected to result in loss to the University of Washington consolidated endowment fund or to result in private loss to the providers of this information; (21) Market share data submitted by a manufacturer under RCW 70A.500.190 (4); (22) Financial information supplied to the department of financial institutions, when filed by or on behalf of an issuer of securities for the purpose of obtaining the exemption from state securities registration for small securities offerings provided under RCW 21.20.880 or when filed by or on behalf of an investor for the purpose of purchasing such securities; (23) Unaggregated or individual notices of a transfer of crude oil that is financial, proprietary, or commercial information, submitted to the department of ecology pursuant to RCW 90.56.565 (1)(a), and that is in the possession of the department of ecology or any entity with which the department of ecology has shared the notice pursuant to RCW 90.56.565 ; (24) Financial institution and retirement account information, and building security plan information, supplied to the liquor and cannabis board pursuant to RCW 69.50.325 , 69.50.331 , 69.50.342 , and 69.50.345 , when filed by or on behalf of a licensee or prospective licensee for the purpose of obtaining, maintaining, or renewing a license to produce, process, transport, or sell cannabis as allowed under chapter 69.50 RCW; (25) Cannabis transport information, vehicle and driver identification data, and account numbers or unique access identifiers issued to private entities for traceability system access, submitted by an individual or business to the liquor and cannabis board under the requirements of RCW 69.50.325 , 69.50.331 , 69.50.342 , and 69.50.345 for the purpose of cannabis product traceability. Disclosure to local, state, and federal officials is not considered public disclosure for purposes of this section; (26) Financial and commercial information submitted to or obtained by the retirement board of any city that is responsible for the management of an employees' retirement system pursuant to the authority of chapter 35.39 RCW, when the information relates to investments in private funds, to the extent that such information, if revealed, would reasonably be expected to result in loss to the retirement fund or to result in private loss to the providers of this information except that (a) the names and commitment amounts of the private funds in which retirement funds are invested and (b) the aggregate quarterly performance results for a retirement fund's portfolio of investments in such funds are subject to disclosure; (27) Proprietary financial, commercial, operations, and technical and research information and data submitted to or obtained by the liquor and cannabis board in applications for cannabis research licenses under RCW 69.50.372 , or in reports submitted by cannabis research licensees in accordance with rules adopted by the liquor and cannabis board under RCW 69.50.372 ; (28) Trade secrets, technology, proprietary information, and financial considerations contained in any agreements or contracts, entered into by a licensed cannabis business under RCW 69.50.395 , which may be submitted to or obtained by the state liquor and cannabis board; (29) Financial, commercial, operations, and technical and research information and data submitted to or obtained by the Andy Hill cancer research endowment program in applications for, or delivery of, grants under chapter 43.348 RCW, to the extent that such information, if revealed, would reasonably be expected to result in private loss to providers of this information; (30) Proprietary information filed with the department of health under chapter 69.48 RCW; (31) Records filed with the department of ecology under chapter 70A.515 RCW that a court has determined are confidential valuable commercial information under RCW 70A.515.130 ; (32) Unaggregated financial, proprietary, or commercial information submitted to or obtained by the liquor and cannabis board in applications for licenses under RCW 66.24.140 or 66.24.145 , or in any reports or remittances submitted by a person licensed under RCW 66.24.140 or 66.24.145 under rules adopted by the liquor and cannabis board under chapter 66.08 RCW; (33) Formulas and data public risk pools used to calculate rates for pool member contributions or assessments, and actuarial analyses and reports prepared by or for public risk pools; and (34) Unaggregated or individual information submitted to the department of revenue under RCW 82.17.020 pertaining to the sales price of zero-emission vehicle credits in transactions between manufacturers.
RCW 42.26.090 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 26 / Section 090
RCW 42.26.090: Regulations for petty cash and accounts.
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. Such regulation shall include but not be limited to, (1) defining limitations on the use of petty cash, and (2) providing accounting and reporting procedures for operation of the petty cash account.
RCW 42.45.050 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 45 / Section 050
RCW 42.45.050: Identification of individual.
Status: in_force

(1) A notarial officer has personal knowledge of the identity of an individual appearing before the officer if the individual is personally known to the officer through dealings sufficient to provide reasonable certainty that the individual has the identity claimed. (2) A notarial officer has satisfactory evidence of the identity of an individual appearing before the officer if the officer can identify the individual: (a) By means of: (i) A passport, driver's license, or government-issued nondriver identification card, which is current or expired not more than three years before performance of the notarial act; or (ii) Another form of government identification issued to an individual, which is current or expired not more than three years before performance of the notarial act, contains the signature or a photograph of the individual, and is satisfactory to the officer; or (b) By a verification on oath or affirmation of a credible witness personally appearing before the officer and personally known to the officer and who provides satisfactory evidence of his or her identity as described in (a) of this subsection. (3) A notarial officer may require an individual to provide additional information or identification credentials necessary to assure the officer of the identity of the individual.
RCW 42.56.904 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 904
RCW 42.56.904: Intent—2007 c 391.
Status: in_force

It is the intent of the legislature to clarify that no reasonable construction of chapter 42.56 RCW has ever allowed attorney invoices to be withheld in their entirety by any public entity in a request for documents under that chapter. It is further the intent of the legislature that specific descriptions of work performed be redacted only if they would reveal an attorney's mental impressions, actual legal advice, theories, or opinions, or are otherwise exempt under chapter 391, Laws of 2007 or other laws, with the burden upon the public entity to justify each redaction and narrowly construe any exception to full disclosure. The legislature intends to clarify that the public's interest in open, accountable government includes an accounting of any expenditure of public resources, including through liability insurance, upon private legal counsel or private consultants.
RCW 42.17A.480 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 480
RCW 42.17A.480: Solicitation of endorsement fees.
Status: in_force

A person may not solicit from a candidate for public office, political committee, political party, or other person money or other property as a condition or consideration for an endorsement, article, or other communication in the news media promoting or opposing a candidate for public office, political committee, or political party.
RCW 42.26.020 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 26 / Section 020
RCW 42.26.020: Disbursements—Deposits to cover.
Status: in_force

The amount to be disbursed from the vendor payment revolving fund on behalf of an agency electing to utilize such fund shall be deposited therein by the agency on or before the day prior to scheduled disbursement. The deposit shall be made from funds held by the agency outside the state treasury pursuant to law and which are properly chargeable for the disbursement. Disbursements from the revolving fund created by this chapter shall be by warrant in accordance with the provisions of RCW 43.88.160 .
RCW 42.17A.005 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 005
RCW 42.17A.005: Definitions.
Status: in_force

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Actual malice" means to act with knowledge of falsity or with reckless disregard as to truth or falsity. (2) "Agency" includes all state agencies and all local agencies. "State agency" includes every state office, department, division, bureau, board, commission, or other state agency. "Local agency" includes every county, city, town, municipal corporation, quasi-municipal corporation, or special purpose district, or any office, department, division, bureau, board, commission, or agency thereof, or other local public agency. "Agency" does not include a comprehensive cancer center participating in a collaborative arrangement as defined in RCW 28B.10.930 that is operated in conformance with RCW 28B.10.930 . (3) "Authorized committee" means the political committee authorized by a candidate, or by the public official against whom recall charges have been filed, to accept contributions or make expenditures on behalf of the candidate or public official. (4) "Ballot proposition" means any "measure" as defined by RCW 29A.04.091 , or any initiative, recall, or referendum proposition proposed to be submitted to the voters of the state or any municipal corporation, political subdivision, or other voting constituency from and after the time when the proposition has been initially filed with the appropriate election officer of that constituency before its circulation for signatures. (5) "Benefit" means a commercial, proprietary, financial, economic, or monetary advantage, or the avoidance of a commercial, proprietary, financial, economic, or monetary disadvantage. (6) "Bona fide political party" means: (a) An organization that has been recognized as a minor political party by the secretary of state; (b) The governing body of the state organization of a major political party, as defined in RCW 29A.04.086 , that is the body authorized by the charter or bylaws of the party to exercise authority on behalf of the state party; or (c) The county central committee or legislative district committee of a major political party. There may be only one legislative district committee for each party in each legislative district. (7) "Books of account" means: (a) In the case of a campaign or political committee, a ledger or similar listing of contributions, expenditures, and debts, such as a campaign or committee is required to file regularly with the commission, current as of the most recent business day; or (b) In the case of a commercial advertiser, details of political advertising or electioneering communications provided by the advertiser, including the names and addresses of persons from whom it accepted political advertising or electioneering communications, the exact nature and extent of the services rendered and the total cost and the manner of payment for the services. (8) "Candidate" means any individual who seeks nomination for election or election to public office. An individual seeks nomination or election when the individual first: (a) Receives contributions or makes expenditures or reserves space or facilities with intent to promote the individual's candidacy for office; (b) Announces publicly or files for office; (c) Purchases commercial advertising space or broadcast time to promote the individual's candidacy; or (d) Gives consent to another person to take on behalf of the individual any of the actions in (a) or (c) of this subsection. (9) "Caucus political committee" means a political committee organized and maintained by the members of a major political party in the state senate or state house of representatives. (10) "Commercial advertiser" means any person that sells the service of communicating messages or producing material for broadcast or distribution to the general public or segments of the general public whether through brochures, fliers, newspapers, magazines, television, radio, billboards, direct mail advertising, printing, paid internet or digital communications, or any other means of mass communications used for the purpose of appealing, directly or indirectly, for votes or for financial or other support in any election campaign. (11) "Commission" means the agency established under RCW 42.17A.100 . (12) "Committee" unless the context indicates otherwise, includes a political committee such as a candidate, ballot proposition, recall, political, or continuing political committee. (13) "Compensation" unless the context requires a narrower meaning, includes payment in any form for real or personal property or services of any kind. For the purpose of compliance with RCW 42.17A.710 , "compensation" does not include per diem allowances or other payments made by a governmental entity to reimburse a public official for expenses incurred while the official is engaged in the official business of the governmental entity. (14) "Continuing political committee" means a political committee that is an organization of continuing existence not limited to participation in any particular election campaign or election cycle. (15)(a) "Contribution" includes: (i) A loan, gift, deposit, subscription, forgiveness of indebtedness, donation, advance, pledge, payment, transfer of funds, or anything of value, including personal and professional services for less than full consideration; (ii) An expenditure made by a person in cooperation, consultation, or concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, a candidate, a political or incidental committee, the person or persons named on the candidate's or committee's registration form who direct expenditures on behalf of the candidate or committee, or their agents; (iii) The financing by a person of the dissemination, distribution, or republication, in whole or in part, of broadcast, written, graphic, digital, or other form of political advertising or electioneering communication prepared by a candidate, a political or incidental committee, or its authorized agent; (iv) Sums paid for tickets to fund-raising events such as dinners and parties, except for the actual cost of the consumables furnished at the event. (b) "Contribution" does not include: (i) Accrued interest on money deposited in a political or incidental committee's account; (ii) Ordinary home hospitality; (iii) A contribution received by a candidate or political or incidental committee that is returned to the contributor within ten business days of the date on which it is received by the candidate or political or incidental committee; (iv) A news item, feature, commentary, or editorial in a regularly scheduled news medium that is of interest to the public, that is in a news medium controlled by a person whose business is that news medium, and that is not controlled by a candidate or a political or incidental committee; (v) An internal political communication primarily limited to the members of or contributors to a political party organization or political or incidental committee, or to the officers, management staff, or stockholders of a corporation or similar enterprise, or to the members of a labor organization or other membership organization; (vi) The rendering of personal services of the sort commonly performed by volunteer campaign workers, or incidental expenses personally incurred by volunteer campaign workers not in excess of fifty dollars personally paid for by the worker. "Volunteer services," for the purposes of this subsection, means services or labor for which the individual is not compensated by any person; (vii) Messages in the form of reader boards, banners, or yard or window signs displayed on a person's own property or property occupied by a person. However, a facility used for such political advertising for which a rental charge is normally made must be reported as an in-kind contribution and counts toward any applicable contribution limit of the person providing the facility; (viii) Legal or accounting services rendered to or on behalf of: (A) A political party or caucus political committee if the person paying for the services is the regular employer of the person rendering such services; or (B) A candidate or an authorized committee if the person paying for the services is the regular employer of the individual rendering the services and if the services are solely for the purpose of ensuring compliance with state election or public disclosure laws; or (ix) The performance of ministerial functions by a person on behalf of two or more candidates or political or incidental committees either as volunteer services defined in (b)(vi) of this subsection or for payment by the candidate or political or incidental committee for whom the services are performed as long as: (A) The person performs solely ministerial functions; (B) A person who is paid by two or more candidates or political or incidental committees is identified by the candidates and political committees on whose behalf services are performed as part of their respective statements of organization under RCW 42.17A.205 ; and (C) The person does not disclose, except as required by law, any information regarding a candidate's or committee's plans, projects, activities, or needs, or regarding a candidate's or committee's contributions or expenditures that is not already publicly available from campaign reports filed with the commission, or otherwise engage in activity that constitutes a contribution under (a)(ii) of this subsection. A person who performs ministerial functions under this subsection (15)(b)(ix) is not considered an agent of the candidate or committee as long as the person has no authority to authorize expenditures or make decisions on behalf of the candidate or committee. (c) Contributions other than money or its equivalent are deemed to have a monetary value equivalent to the fair market value of the contribution. Services or property or rights furnished at less than their fair market value for the purpose of assisting any candidate or political committee are deemed a contribution. Such a contribution must be reported as an in-kind contribution at its fair market value and counts towards any applicable contribution limit of the provider. (16) "Depository" means a bank, mutual savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union doing business in this state. (17) "Elected official" means any person elected at a general or special election to any public office, and any person appointed to fill a vacancy in any such office. (18) "Election" includes any primary, general, or special election for public office and any election in which a ballot proposition is submitted to the voters. An election in which the qualifications for voting include other than those requirements set forth in Article VI, section 1 (Amendment 63) of the Constitution of the state of Washington shall not be considered an election for purposes of this chapter. (19) "Election campaign" means any campaign in support of or in opposition to a candidate for election to public office and any campaign in support of, or in opposition to, a ballot proposition. (20) "Election cycle" means the period beginning on the first day of January after the date of the last previous general election for the office that the candidate seeks and ending on December 31st after the next election for the office. In the case of a special election to fill a vacancy in an office, "election cycle" means the period beginning on the day the vacancy occurs and ending on December 31st after the special election. (21)(a) "Electioneering communication" means any broadcast, cable, or satellite television, radio transmission, digital communication, United States postal service mailing, billboard, newspaper, or periodical that: (i) Clearly identifies a candidate for a state, local, or judicial office either by specifically naming the candidate, or identifying the candidate without using the candidate's name; (ii) Is broadcast, transmitted electronically or by other means, mailed, erected, distributed, or otherwise published within sixty days before any election for that office in the jurisdiction in which the candidate is seeking election; and (iii) Either alone, or in combination with one or more communications identifying the candidate by the same sponsor during the sixty days before an election, has a fair market value or cost of one thousand dollars or more. (b) "Electioneering communication" does not include: (i) Usual and customary advertising of a business owned by a candidate, even if the candidate is mentioned in the advertising when the candidate has been regularly mentioned in that advertising appearing at least twelve months preceding the candidate becoming a candidate; (ii) Advertising for candidate debates or forums when the advertising is paid for by or on behalf of the debate or forum sponsor, so long as two or more candidates for the same position have been invited to participate in the debate or forum; (iii) A news item, feature, commentary, or editorial in a regularly scheduled news medium that is: (A) Of interest to the public; (B) In a news medium controlled by a person whose business is that news medium; and (C) Not a medium controlled by a candidate or a political or incidental committee; (iv) Slate cards and sample ballots; (v) Advertising for books, films, dissertations, or similar works (A) written by a candidate when the candidate entered into a contract for such publications or media at least twelve months before becoming a candidate, or (B) written about a candidate; (vi) Public service announcements; (vii) An internal political communication primarily limited to the members of or contributors to a political party organization or political or incidental committee, or to the officers, management staff, or stockholders of a corporation or similar enterprise, or to the members of a labor organization or other membership organization; (viii) An expenditure by or contribution to the authorized committee of a candidate for state, local, or judicial office; or (ix) Any other communication exempted by the commission through rule consistent with the intent of this chapter. (22) "Expenditure" includes a payment, contribution, subscription, distribution, loan, advance, deposit, or gift of money or anything of value, and includes a contract, promise, or agreement, whether or not legally enforceable, to make an expenditure. "Expenditure" also includes a promise to pay, a payment, or a transfer of anything of value in exchange for goods, services, property, facilities, or anything of value for the purpose of assisting, benefiting, or honoring any public official or candidate, or assisting in furthering or opposing any election campaign. For the purposes of this chapter, agreements to make expenditures, contracts, and promises to pay may be reported as estimated obligations until actual payment is made. "Expenditure" shall not include the partial or complete repayment by a candidate or political or incidental committee of the principal of a loan, the receipt of which loan has been properly reported. (23) "Final report" means the report described as a final report in RCW 42.17A.235 (11)(a). (24) "Foreign national" means: (a) An individual who is not a citizen of the United States and is not lawfully admitted for permanent residence; (b) A government, or subdivision, of a foreign country; (c) A foreign political party; and (d) Any entity, such as a partnership, association, corporation, organization, or other combination of persons, that is organized under the laws of or has its principal place of business in a foreign country. (25) "General election" for the purposes of RCW 42.17A.405 means the election that results in the election of a person to a state or local office. It does not include a primary. (26) "Gift" has the definition in RCW 42.52.150 . (27) "Immediate family" includes the spouse or domestic partner, dependent children, and other dependent relatives, if living in the household. For the purposes of the definition of "intermediary" in this section, "immediate family" means an individual's spouse or domestic partner, and child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, brother, half brother, sister, or half sister of the individual and the spouse or the domestic partner of any such person and a child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, brother, half brother, sister, or half sister of the individual's spouse or domestic partner and the spouse or the domestic partner of any such person. (28) "Incidental committee" means any nonprofit organization not otherwise defined as a political committee but that may incidentally make a contribution or an expenditure in excess of the reporting thresholds in RCW 42.17A.235 , directly or through a political committee. Any nonprofit organization is not an incidental committee if it is only remitting payments through the nonprofit organization in an aggregated form and the nonprofit organization is not required to report those payments in accordance with this chapter. (29) "Incumbent" means a person who is in present possession of an elected office. (30)(a) "Independent expenditure" means an expenditure that has each of the following elements: (i) It is made in support of or in opposition to a candidate for office by a person who is not: (A) A candidate for that office; (B) An authorized committee of that candidate for that office; and (C) A person who has received the candidate's encouragement or approval to make the expenditure, if the expenditure pays in whole or in part for political advertising supporting that candidate or promoting the defeat of any other candidate or candidates for that office; (ii) It is made in support of or in opposition to a candidate for office by a person with whom the candidate has not collaborated for the purpose of making the expenditure, if the expenditure pays in whole or in part for political advertising supporting that candidate or promoting the defeat of any other candidate or candidates for that office; (iii) The expenditure pays in whole or in part for political advertising that either specifically names the candidate supported or opposed, or clearly and beyond any doubt identifies the candidate without using the candidate's name; and (iv) The expenditure, alone or in conjunction with another expenditure or other expenditures of the same person in support of or opposition to that candidate, has a value of one thousand dollars or more. A series of expenditures, each of which is under one thousand dollars, constitutes one independent expenditure if their cumulative value is one thousand dollars or more. (b) "Independent expenditure" does not include: Ordinary home hospitality; communications with journalists or editorial staff designed to elicit a news item, feature, commentary, or editorial in a regularly scheduled news medium that is of primary interest to the general public, controlled by a person whose business is that news medium, and not controlled by a candidate or a political committee; participation in the creation of a publicly funded voters' pamphlet statement in written or video form; an internal political communication primarily limited to contributors to a political party organization or political action committee, the officers, management staff, and stockholders of a corporation or similar enterprise, or the members of a labor organization or other membership organization; or the rendering of personal services of the sort commonly performed by volunteer campaign workers or incidental expenses personally incurred by volunteer campaign workers not in excess of two hundred fifty dollars personally paid for by the worker. (31)(a) "Intermediary" means an individual who transmits a contribution to a candidate or committee from another person unless the contribution is from the individual's employer, immediate family, or an association to which the individual belongs. (b) A treasurer or a candidate is not an intermediary for purposes of the committee that the treasurer or candidate serves. (c) A professional fund-raiser is not an intermediary if the fund-raiser is compensated for fund-raising services at the usual and customary rate. (d) A volunteer hosting a fund-raising event at the individual's home is not an intermediary for purposes of that event. (32) "Legislation" means bills, resolutions, motions, amendments, nominations, and other matters pending or proposed in either house of the state legislature, and includes any other matter that may be the subject of action by either house or any committee of the legislature and all bills and resolutions that, having passed both houses, are pending approval by the governor. (33) "Legislative office" means the office of a member of the state house of representatives or the office of a member of the state senate. (34) "Lobby" and "lobbying" each mean attempting to influence the passage or defeat of any legislation by the legislature of the state of Washington, or the adoption or rejection of any rule, standard, rate, or other legislative enactment of any state agency under the state administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW. Neither "lobby" nor "lobbying" includes an association's or other organization's act of communicating with the members of that association or organization. (35) "Lobbyist" includes any person who lobbies either on the person's own or another's behalf. (36) "Lobbyist's employer" means the person or persons by whom a lobbyist is employed and all persons by whom the lobbyist is compensated for acting as a lobbyist. (37) "Ministerial functions" means an act or duty carried out as part of the duties of an administrative office without exercise of personal judgment or discretion. (38) "Participate" means that, with respect to a particular election, an entity: (a) Makes either a monetary or in-kind contribution to a candidate; (b) Makes an independent expenditure or electioneering communication in support of or opposition to a candidate; (c) Endorses a candidate before contributions are made by a subsidiary corporation or local unit with respect to that candidate or that candidate's opponent; (d) Makes a recommendation regarding whether a candidate should be supported or opposed before a contribution is made by a subsidiary corporation or local unit with respect to that candidate or that candidate's opponent; or (e) Directly or indirectly collaborates or consults with a subsidiary corporation or local unit on matters relating to the support of or opposition to a candidate, including, but not limited to, the amount of a contribution, when a contribution should be given, and what assistance, services or independent expenditures, or electioneering communications, if any, will be made or should be made in support of or opposition to a candidate. (39) "Person" includes an individual, partnership, joint venture, public or private corporation, association, federal, state, or local governmental entity or agency however constituted, candidate, committee, political committee, political party, executive committee thereof, or any other organization or group of persons, however organized. (40) "Political advertising" includes any advertising displays, newspaper ads, billboards, signs, brochures, articles, tabloids, flyers, letters, radio or television presentations, digital communication, or other means of mass communication, used for the purpose of appealing, directly or indirectly, for votes or for financial or other support or opposition in any election campaign. (41) "Political committee" means any person (except a candidate or an individual dealing with the candidate's or individual's own funds or property) having the expectation of receiving contributions or making expenditures in support of, or opposition to, any candidate or any ballot proposition. (42) "Primary" for the purposes of RCW 42.17A.405 means the procedure for nominating a candidate to state or local office under chapter 29A.52 RCW or any other primary for an election that uses, in large measure, the procedures established in chapter 29A.52 RCW. (43) "Public office" means any federal, state, judicial, county, city, town, school district, port district, special district, or other state political subdivision elective office. (44) "Public record" has the definition in RCW 42.56.010 . (45) "Recall campaign" means the period of time beginning on the date of the filing of recall charges under RCW 29A.56.120 and ending thirty days after the recall election. (46) "Remediable violation" means any violation of this chapter that: (a) Involved expenditures or contributions totaling no more than the contribution limits set out under RCW 42.17A.405 (2) per election, or one thousand dollars if there is no statutory limit; (b) Occurred: (i) More than thirty days before an election, where the commission entered into an agreement to resolve the matter; or (ii) At any time where the violation did not constitute a material violation because it was inadvertent and minor or otherwise has been cured and, after consideration of all the circumstances, further proceedings would not serve the purposes of this chapter; (c) Does not materially harm the public interest, beyond the harm to the policy of this chapter inherent in any violation; and (d) Involved: (i) A person who: (A) Took corrective action within five business days after the commission first notified the person of noncompliance, or where the commission did not provide notice and filed a required report within twenty-one days after the report was due to be filed; and (B) Substantially met the filing deadline for all other required reports within the immediately preceding twelve-month period; or (ii) A candidate who: (A) Lost the election in question; and (B) Did not receive contributions over one hundred times the contribution limit in aggregate per election during the campaign in question. (47)(a) "Sponsor" for purposes of an electioneering communications, independent expenditures, or political advertising means the person paying for the electioneering communication, independent expenditure, or political advertising. If a person acts as an agent for another or is reimbursed by another for the payment, the original source of the payment is the sponsor. (b) "Sponsor," for purposes of a political or incidental committee, means any person, except an authorized committee, to whom any of the following applies: (i) The committee receives eighty percent or more of its contributions either from the person or from the person's members, officers, employees, or shareholders; (ii) The person collects contributions for the committee by use of payroll deductions or dues from its members, officers, or employees. (48) "Sponsored committee" means a committee, other than an authorized committee, that has one or more sponsors. (49) "State office" means state legislative office or the office of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, commissioner of public lands, insurance commissioner, superintendent of public instruction, state auditor, or state treasurer. (50) "State official" means a person who holds a state office. (51) "Surplus funds" mean, in the case of a political committee or candidate, the balance of contributions that remain in the possession or control of that committee or candidate subsequent to the election for which the contributions were received, and that are in excess of the amount necessary to pay remaining debts or expenses incurred by the committee or candidate with respect to that election. In the case of a continuing political committee, "surplus funds" mean those contributions remaining in the possession or control of the committee that are in excess of the amount necessary to pay all remaining debts or expenses when it makes its final report under RCW 42.17A.255 . (52) "Technical correction" means the correction of a minor or ministerial error in a required report that does not materially harm the public interest and needs to be corrected for the report to be in full compliance with the requirements of this chapter. (53) "Treasurer" and "deputy treasurer" mean the individuals appointed by a candidate or political or incidental committee, pursuant to RCW 42.17A.210 , to perform the duties specified in that section. (54) "Violation" means a violation of this chapter that is not a remediable violation, minor violation, or an error classified by the commission as appropriate to address by a technical correction.
RCW 42.56.460 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 460
RCW 42.56.460: Fireworks and explosives.
Status: in_force

(1) All records obtained and all reports produced as required by state fireworks law, chapter 70.77 RCW, are exempt from disclosure under this chapter. (2) All records obtained and all reports submitted as required by the Washington state explosives act, chapter 70.74 RCW, are exempt from disclosure under this chapter. Nothing in this subsection (2) shall be construed to restrict access to information related to the regulatory duties or actions of any agency.
RCW 42.24.140 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 24 / Section 140
RCW 42.24.140: Advancements for travel expenses—Provision to assure repayment.
Status: in_force

To protect the municipal corporation or political subdivision from any losses on account of advances made as provided in RCW 42.24.120 through 42.24.160 , 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 by the municipal corporation or political subdivision to such officer or employee to whom such advance has been given, as provided in RCW 42.24.120 through 42.24.160 , up to the amount of such advance and interest at the rate of ten percent per annum, until such time as repayment or justification has been made. No advance of any kind may be made to any officer or employee under RCW 42.24.120 through 42.24.160 , at any time when he or she is delinquent in accounting for or repaying a prior advance under RCW 42.24.120 through 42.24.160 .
RCW 42.52.510 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 510
RCW 42.52.510: Rescission of state action.
Status: in_force

(1) The attorney general may, on request of the governor or the appropriate agency, and in addition to other available rights of rescission, bring an action in the superior court of Thurston county to cancel or rescind state action taken by a state officer or state employee, without liability to the state of Washington, contractual or otherwise, if the governor or ethics board has reason to believe that: (a) A violation of this chapter or rules adopted under it has substantially influenced the state action, and (b) the interest of the state requires the cancellation or rescission. The governor may suspend state action pending the determination of the merits of the controversy under this section. The court may permit persons affected by the governor's actions to post an adequate bond pending such resolution to ensure compliance by the defendant with the final judgment, decree, or other order of the court. (2) This section does not limit other available remedies.
RCW 42.52.806 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 806
RCW 42.52.806: Exemption—Solicitation for Billy Frank Jr. national statuary hall collection fund.
Status: in_force

This chapter does not prohibit the members of the Billy Frank Jr. national statuary hall selection committee, members of the legislature, when outside the period in which solicitation of contributions is prohibited by RCW 42.17A.560 , or employees of the Washington state historical society from soliciting contributions for the purposes established in chapter 20, Laws of 2021, and for deposit into the Billy Frank Jr. national statuary hall collection fund created in RCW 43.08.800 .

PDF RCW 42.52.806

Exemption — Solicitation for Billy Frank Jr. national statuary hall collection fund. (Effective January 1, 2026.)

This chapter does not prohibit the members of the Billy Frank Jr. national statuary hall selection committee, members of the legislature, when outside the period in which solicitation of contributions is prohibited by RCW 29B.45.020 , or employees of the Washington state historical society from soliciting contributions for the purposes established in chapter 20, Laws of 2021, and for deposit into the Billy Frank Jr. national statuary hall collection fund created in RCW 43.08.800 .
RCW 42.17A.750 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 750
RCW 42.17A.750: Civil remedies and sanctions—Referral for criminal prosecution.
Status: in_force

(1) In addition to the penalties in subsection (2) of this section, and any other remedies provided by law, one or more of the following civil remedies and sanctions may be imposed by court order in addition to any other remedies provided by law: (a) If the court finds that the violation of any provision of this chapter by any candidate, committee, or incidental committee probably affected the outcome of any election, the result of that election may be held void and a special election held within sixty days of the finding. Any action to void an election shall be commenced within one year of the date of the election in question. It is intended that this remedy be imposed freely in all appropriate cases to protect the right of the electorate to an informed and knowledgeable vote. (b) If any lobbyist or sponsor of any grass roots lobbying campaign violates any of the provisions of this chapter, the lobbyist's or sponsor's registration may be revoked or suspended and the lobbyist or sponsor may be enjoined from receiving compensation or making expenditures for lobbying. The imposition of a sanction shall not excuse the lobbyist from filing statements and reports required by this chapter. (c) A person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter may be subject to a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars for each violation. However, a person or entity who violates RCW 42.17A.405 may be subject to a civil penalty of ten thousand dollars or three times the amount of the contribution illegally made or accepted, whichever is greater. (d) When assessing a civil penalty, the court may consider the nature of the violation and any relevant circumstances, including the following factors: (i) The respondent's compliance history, including whether the noncompliance was isolated or limited in nature, indicative of systematic or ongoing problems, or part of a pattern of violations by the respondent, resulted from a knowing or intentional effort to conceal, deceive or mislead, or from collusive behavior, or in the case of a political committee or other entity, part of a pattern of violations by the respondent's officers, staff, principal decision makers, consultants, or sponsoring organization; (ii) The impact on the public, including whether the noncompliance deprived the public of timely or accurate information during a time-sensitive period or otherwise had a significant or material impact on the public; (iii) Experience with campaign finance law and procedures or the financing, staffing, or size of the respondent's campaign or organization; (iv) The amount of financial activity by the respondent during the statement period or election cycle; (v) Whether the late or unreported activity was within three times the contribution limit per election, including in proportion to the total amount of expenditures by the respondent in the campaign or statement period; (vi) Whether the respondent or any person benefited politically or economically from the noncompliance; (vii) Whether there was a personal emergency or illness of the respondent or member of the respondent's immediate family; (viii) Whether other emergencies such as fire, flood, or utility failure prevented filing; (ix) Whether there was commission staff or equipment error, including technical problems at the commission that prevented or delayed electronic filing; (x) The respondent's demonstrated good-faith uncertainty concerning commission staff guidance or instructions; (xi) Whether the respondent is a first-time filer; (xii) Good faith efforts to comply, including consultation with commission staff prior to initiation of enforcement action and cooperation with commission staff during enforcement action and a demonstrated wish to acknowledge and take responsibility for the violation; (xiii) Penalties imposed in factually similar cases; and (xiv) Other factors relevant to the particular case. (e) A person who fails to file a properly completed statement or report within the time required by this chapter may be subject to a civil penalty of ten dollars per day for each day each delinquency continues. (f) Each state agency director who knowingly fails to file statements required by RCW 42.17A.635 shall be subject to personal liability in the form of a civil penalty in the amount of one hundred dollars per statement. These penalties are in addition to any other civil remedies or sanctions imposed on the agency. (g) A person who fails to report a contribution or expenditure as required by this chapter may be subject to a civil penalty equivalent to the amount not reported as required. (h) Any state agency official, officer, or employee who is responsible for or knowingly directs or expends public funds in violation of RCW 42.17A.635 (2) or (3) may be subject to personal liability in the form of a civil penalty in an amount that is at least equivalent to the amount of public funds expended in the violation. (i) The court may enjoin any person to prevent the doing of any act herein prohibited, or to compel the performance of any act required herein. (2) The commission may refer the following violations for criminal prosecution: (a) A person who, with actual malice, violates a provision of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor under chapter 9.92 RCW; (b) A person who, within a five-year period, with actual malice, violates three or more provisions of this chapter is guilty of a gross misdemeanor under chapter 9.92 RCW; and (c) A person who, with actual malice, procures or offers any false or forged document to be filed, registered, or recorded with the commission under this chapter is guilty of a class C felony under chapter 9.94A RCW.
RCW 42.16.011 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 16 / Section 011
RCW 42.16.011: State payroll revolving account—Use.
Status: in_force

A state payroll revolving account is created in the state treasury, for the payment of compensation to employees and officers of the state and distribution of all amounts withheld therefrom pursuant to law and amounts authorized by employees to be withheld pursuant to law; also for the payment of the state's contributions for retirement and insurance and other employee benefits: PROVIDED, That the utilization of the state payroll revolving account shall be optional except for agencies whose payrolls are prepared under a centralized system established pursuant to regulations of the director of financial management.
RCW 42.12.020 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 12 / Section 020
RCW 42.12.020: Resignations, to whom made.
Status: in_force

Resignations shall be made as follows: By the state officers and members of the legislature, to the governor; by all county officers, to the county commissioners of their respective counties; by all other officers, holding their offices by appointment, to the body, board or officer that appointed them.
RCW 42.23.040 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 23 / Section 040
RCW 42.23.040: Remote interests.
Status: in_force

A municipal officer is not interested in a contract, within the meaning of RCW 42.23.030 , if the officer has only a remote interest in the contract and the extent of the interest is disclosed to the governing body of the municipality of which the officer is an officer and noted in the official minutes or similar records of the municipality prior to the formation of the contract, and thereafter the governing body authorizes, approves, or ratifies the contract in good faith by a vote of its membership sufficient for the purpose without counting the vote or votes of the officer having the remote interest. As used in this section "remote interest" means: (1) That of a nonsalaried officer of a nonprofit corporation; (2) That of an employee or agent of a contracting party where the compensation of such employee or agent consists entirely of fixed wages or salary; (3) That of a landlord or tenant of a contracting party; (4) That of a holder of less than one percent of the shares of a corporation or cooperative which is a contracting party. None of the provisions of this section are applicable to any officer interested in a contract, even if the officer's interest is only remote, if the officer influences or attempts to influence any other officer of the municipality of which he or she is an officer to enter into the contract.
RCW 42.30.100 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 30 / Section 100
RCW 42.30.100: Continuances.
Status: in_force

Any hearing being held, noticed, or ordered to be held by a governing body at any meeting may by order or notice of continuance be continued or recontinued to any subsequent meeting of the governing body in the same manner and to the same extent set forth in RCW 42.30.090 for the adjournment of meetings.
RCW 42.45.090 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 45 / Section 090
RCW 42.45.090: Notarial act in another state—Effect in this state.
Status: in_force

(1) A notarial act performed in another state has the same effect under the law of this state as if performed by a notarial officer of this state, if the act performed in that state is performed by: (a) A notary public of that state; (b) A judge, clerk, or deputy clerk of a court of that state; or (c) Any other individual authorized by the law of that state to perform the notarial act. (2) The signature and title of an individual performing a notarial act in another state are prima facie evidence that the signature is genuine and that the individual holds the designated title. (3) The signature and title of a notarial officer described in subsection (1)(a) through (c) of this section conclusively establishes the authority of the officer to perform the notarial act.
RCW 42.56.610 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 610
RCW 42.56.610: Certain information from dairies and feedlots limited—Rules.
Status: in_force

The following information in plans, records, and reports obtained by state and local agencies from dairies, animal feeding operations, and concentrated animal feeding operations, not required to apply for a national pollutant discharge elimination system permit is disclosable only in ranges that provide meaningful information to the public while ensuring confidentiality of business information regarding: (1) Number of animals; (2) volume of livestock nutrients generated; (3) number of acres covered by the plan or used for land application of livestock nutrients; (4) livestock nutrients transferred to other persons; and (5) crop yields. The department of agriculture shall adopt rules to implement this section in consultation with affected state and local agencies.
RCW 42.48.060 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 48 / Section 060
RCW 42.48.060: Exclusions from chapter.
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter is applicable to, or in any way affects, the powers and duties of the state auditor or the joint legislative audit and review committee.
RCW 42.17A.906 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 906
RCW 42.17A.906: Repealer—1973 c 1.
Status: repealed

Chapter 9, Laws of 1965, as amended by section 9, chapter 150, Laws of 1965 ex. sess., and RCW 29.18.140 ; and chapter 131, Laws of 1967 ex. sess. and RCW 44.64 [chapter 44.64 RCW]; and chapter 82, Laws of 1972 (42nd Leg. 2nd Ex. Sess.) and Referendum Bill No. 24; and chapter 98, Laws of 1972 (42nd Leg. 2nd Ex. Sess.) and Referendum Bill No. 25 are each hereby repealed.
RCW 42.17A.320 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 320
RCW 42.17A.320: Identification of sponsor—Exemptions.
Status: in_force

(1) All written political advertising, whether relating to candidates or ballot propositions, shall include the sponsor's name and address. All radio and television political advertising, whether relating to candidates or ballot propositions, shall include the sponsor's name. The use of an assumed name for the sponsor of electioneering communications, independent expenditures, or political advertising shall be unlawful. For partisan office, if a candidate has expressed a party or independent preference on the declaration of candidacy, that party or independent designation shall be clearly identified in electioneering communications, independent expenditures, or political advertising. (2) In addition to the information required by subsection (1) of this section, except as specifically addressed in subsections (4) and (5) of this section, all political advertising undertaken as an independent expenditure or an electioneering communication by a person or entity other than a bona fide political party must include as part of the communication: (a) The statement: "No candidate authorized this ad. It is paid for by (name, address, city, state)"; (b) If the sponsor is a political committee, the statement: "Top Five Contributors," followed by a listing of the names of the five persons making the largest contributions as determined by RCW 42.17A.350 (1); and if necessary, the statement "Top Three Donors to PAC Contributors," followed by a listing of the names of the three individuals or entities, other than political committees, making the largest aggregated contributions as determined by RCW 42.17A.350 (2); and (c) If the sponsor is a political committee established, maintained, or controlled directly, or indirectly through the formation of one or more political committees, by an individual, corporation, union, association, or other entity, the full name of that individual or entity. (3) The information required by subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall: (a) Appear on the first page or fold of the written advertisement or communication in at least ten-point type, or in type at least ten percent of the largest size type used in a written advertisement or communication directed at more than one voter, such as a billboard or poster, whichever is larger; (b) Not be subject to the half-tone or screening process; and (c) Be set apart from any other printed matter. No text may be before, after, or immediately adjacent to the information required by subsections (1) and (2) of this section. (4) In an independent expenditure or electioneering communication transmitted via television or other medium that includes a visual image, the following statement must either be clearly spoken, or appear in print and be visible for at least four seconds, appear in letters greater than four percent of the visual screen height on a solid black background on the entire bottom one-third of the television or visual display screen, or bottom one-fourth of the screen if the sponsor does not have or is otherwise not required to list its top five contributors, and have a reasonable color contrast with the background: "No candidate authorized this ad. Paid for by (name, city, state)." If the advertisement or communication is undertaken by a nonindividual other than a party organization, then the following notation must also be included: "Top Five Contributors" followed by a listing of the names of the five persons making the largest aggregate contributions as determined by RCW 42.17A.350 (1); and if necessary, the statement "Top Three Donors to PAC Contributors," followed by a listing of the names of the three individuals or entities other than political committees making the largest aggregate contributions to political committees as determined by RCW 42.17A.350 (2). Abbreviations may be used to describe contributing entities if the full name of the entity has been clearly spoken previously during the broadcast advertisement. (5) The following statement shall be clearly spoken in an independent expenditure or electioneering communication transmitted by a method that does not include a visual image: "No candidate authorized this ad. Paid for by (name, city, state)." If the independent expenditure or electioneering communication is undertaken by a nonindividual other than a party organization, then the following statement must also be included: "Top Five Contributors" followed by a listing of the names of the five persons making the largest contributions as determined by RCW 42.17A.350 (1); and if necessary, the statement "Top Three Donors to PAC Contributors," followed by a listing of the names of the three individuals or entities, other than political committees, making the largest aggregate contributions to political committees as determined by RCW 42.17A.350 (2). Abbreviations may be used to describe contributing entities if the full name of the entity has been clearly spoken previously during the broadcast advertisement. (6) Political advertising costing one thousand dollars or more supporting or opposing ballot measures sponsored by a political committee must include the information on the top five contributors and top three contributors, other than political committees, as required by RCW 42.17A.350 . A series of political advertising sponsored by the same political committee, each of which is under one thousand dollars, must include the top five contributors and top three contributors, other than political committees, as required by RCW 42.17A.350 once their cumulative value reaches one thousand dollars or more. (7) Political yard signs are exempt from the requirements of this section that the top five contributors and top three PAC contributors as required by RCW 42.17A.350 be listed on the advertising. In addition, the public disclosure commission shall, by rule, exempt from the identification requirements of this section forms of political advertising such as campaign buttons, balloons, pens, pencils, sky-writing, inscriptions, and other forms of advertising where identification is impractical. (8) For the purposes of this section, "yard sign" means any outdoor sign with dimensions no greater than eight feet by four feet.
RCW 42.30.250 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 30 / Section 250
RCW 42.30.250: Notices soliciting public comment—Time period.
Status: in_force

(1) A public agency that is required by state law to solicit public comment for a statutorily specified period of time, and is required by state law to provide notice that it is soliciting public comment, must specify the first and last date and time by which written public comment may be submitted. (2) An agency that provides a notice that violates this section is subject to the same fines under the same procedures as other violations of this chapter are subject to under RCW 42.30.120 .
RCW 42.30.900 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 30 / Section 900
RCW 42.30.900: Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter may be known and cited as the Washington state open public meetings act or OPMA.
RCW 42.52.320 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 320
RCW 42.52.320: Authority of legislative ethics board.
Status: in_force

(1) The legislative ethics board shall enforce this chapter and rules adopted under it with respect to members and employees of the legislature. (2) The legislative ethics board shall: (a) Develop educational materials and training with regard to legislative ethics for legislators and legislative employees; (b) Issue advisory opinions; (c) Adopt rules or 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; (d) Investigate, hear, and determine complaints by any person or on its own motion; (e) Impose sanctions including reprimands and monetary penalties; (f) Recommend suspension or removal to the appropriate legislative entity, or recommend prosecution to the appropriate authority; and (g) Establish criteria regarding the levels of civil penalties appropriate for different types of violations of this chapter and rules adopted under it. (3) 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.
RCW 42.45.080 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 45 / Section 080
RCW 42.45.080: Notarial act in this state.
Status: in_force

(1) A notarial act may be performed in this state by: (a) A notary public of this state; (b) A judge, clerk, or deputy clerk of a court of this state; or (c) Any other individual authorized to perform the specific act by the law of this state. (2) The signature and title of an individual authorized by chapter 281, Laws of 2017 to perform a notarial act in this state are prima facie evidence that the signature is genuine and that the individual holds the designated title. (3) The signature and title of a notarial officer described in subsection (1)(a) or (b) of this section conclusively establishes the authority of the officer to perform the notarial act.
RCW 42.04.070 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 04 / Section 070
RCW 42.04.070: Compensation for unofficial services.
Status: in_force

That the directors, trustees and commissioners of state institutions in this state, serving as such without any compensation, shall not be precluded by reason of holding such offices from receiving compensation for services not official rendered without being procured or brought about by use of such official position, or by reason thereof, but such officers shall be allowed to receive such reasonable compensation for services not official or connected with their respective offices as they would otherwise be allowed were they not such officers.
RCW 42.17A.555 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 555
RCW 42.17A.555: Use of public office or agency facilities in campaigns—Prohibition—Exceptions.
Status: in_force

No elective official nor any employee of his or her office nor any person appointed to or employed by any public office or agency may use or authorize the use of any of the facilities of a public office or agency, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of assisting a campaign for election of any person to any office or for the promotion of or opposition to any ballot proposition. Facilities of a public office or agency include, but are not limited to, use of stationery, postage, machines, and equipment, use of employees of the office or agency during working hours, vehicles, office space, publications of the office or agency, and clientele lists of persons served by the office or agency. However, this does not apply to the following activities: (1) Action taken at an open public meeting by members of an elected legislative body or by an elected board, council, or commission of a special purpose district including, but not limited to, fire districts, public hospital districts, library districts, park districts, port districts, public utility districts, school districts, sewer districts, and water districts, 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 so long as (a) any required notice of the meeting includes the title and number of the ballot proposition, and (b) members of the legislative body, members of the board, council, or commission of the special purpose district, or members of the public are afforded an approximately equal opportunity for the expression of an opposing view; (2) 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; (3) Activities which are part of the normal and regular conduct of the office or agency. (4) This section does not apply to any person who is a state officer or state employee as defined in RCW 42.52.010 .
RCW 42.17A.625 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 625
RCW 42.17A.625: Special reports—Lobbyists—Late contributions or large totals.
Status: in_force

Any lobbyist registered under RCW 42.17A.600 , any person who lobbies, and any lobbyist's employer making a contribution or an aggregate of contributions to a single entity that is one thousand dollars or more during a special reporting period, as specified in RCW 42.17A.265 , before a primary or general election shall file one or more special reports in the same manner and to the same extent that a contributing political committee must file under RCW 42.17A.265 .
RCW 42.40.910 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 40 / Section 910
RCW 42.40.910: Application of chapter.
Status: in_force

Chapter 266, Laws of 2008 and chapter 361, Laws of 1999 do not affect the jurisdiction of the legislative ethics board, the executive ethics board, or the commission on judicial conduct, as set forth in chapter 42.52 RCW. The senate, the house of representatives, and the supreme court shall adopt policies regarding the applicability of chapter 42.40 RCW to the senate, house of representatives, and judicial branch.
RCW 42.52.020 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 020
RCW 42.52.020: Activities incompatible with public duties.
Status: in_force

(1) No state officer or state employee may have an interest, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, or engage in a business or transaction or professional activity, or incur an obligation of any nature, that is in conflict with the proper discharge of the state officer's or state employee's official duties. (2) This section does not apply to activities conducted by legislative employees authorized under RCW 44.90.110 .
RCW 42.17A.715 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 715
RCW 42.17A.715: Concealing identity of source of payment prohibited—Exception.
Status: in_force

No payment shall be made to any person required to report under RCW 42.17A.700 and no payment shall be accepted by any such person, directly or indirectly, in a fictitious name, anonymously, or by one person through an agent, relative, or other person in such a manner as to conceal the identity of the source of the payment or in any other manner so as to effect concealment. The commission may issue categorical and specific exemptions to the reporting of the actual source when there is an undisclosed principal for recognized legitimate business purposes.
RCW 42.48.010 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 48 / Section 010
RCW 42.48.010: Definitions.
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply: (1) "Individually identifiable" means that a record contains information which reveals or can likely be associated with the identity of the person or persons to whom the record pertains. (2) "Legally authorized representative" means a person legally authorized to give consent for the disclosure of personal records on behalf of a minor or a legally incompetent adult. (3) "Personal record" means any information obtained or maintained by a state agency which refers to a person and which is declared exempt from public disclosure, confidential, or privileged under state or federal law. (4) "Research" means a planned and systematic sociological, psychological, epidemiological, biomedical, or other scientific investigation carried out by a state agency, by a scientific research professional associated with a bona fide scientific research organization, or by a graduate student currently enrolled in an advanced academic degree curriculum, with an objective to contribute to scientific knowledge, the solution of social and health problems, or the evaluation of public benefit and service programs. This definition excludes methods of record analysis and data collection that are subjective, do not permit replication, and are not designed to yield reliable and valid results. (5) "Research record" means an item or grouping of information obtained for the purpose of research from or about a person or extracted for the purpose of research from a personal record. (6) "State agency" means: (a) The department of social and health services; (b) the department of corrections; (c) the department of health; or (d) the department of children, youth, and families.
RCW 42.56.475 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 475
RCW 42.56.475: Department of corrections and private detention facilities.
Status: in_force

(1) The following information or records created or maintained by the department of corrections or a private detention facility is exempt from public inspection and copying under this chapter: (a) Body scanner images from any system designed to detect and visualize contraband hidden in body cavities or beneath clothing, including backscatter X-ray, millimeter wave, and transmission X-ray systems; (b) The following information and records created or maintained pursuant to the federal prison rape elimination act, 34 U.S.C. Sec. 30301 et seq., and its regulations: (i) Risk assessments, risk indicators, and monitoring plans; (ii) Reports of sexual abuse or sexual harassment, as defined under 28 C.F.R. 115.6; (iii) Records of open prison rape elimination act investigations; and (iv) The identities of individuals other than department of corrections or private detention facility staff, contractors, and volunteers, in closed prison rape elimination act investigation reports and related investigative materials; however, the identity of an accused individual is not exempt if the allegation is determined to have been substantiated; and (c) Health information in records other than an incarcerated individual's or detained individual's medical, mental health, or dental files. (2) The exemption of information or records described under subsection (1)(b) and (c) of this section does not apply to requests by the incarcerated individual or detained individual who is the subject of the information, a requestor with the written permission of the incarcerated individual or detained individual who is the subject of the information, or a personal representative of an incarcerated individual or detained individual who is the subject of the information. In response to such requests, the department of corrections or private detention facility may withhold information revealing the identity of other incarcerated or detained individuals. (3) An agency refusing, in whole or in part, inspection of a public record containing information listed in subsection (1)(c) of this section may cite to subsection (1)(c) of this section, without further explanation, when providing the brief explanation required by RCW 42.56.210 (3), and shall also identify the number of pages withheld, if any pages are withheld in their entirety. (4) For purposes of this section: (a) "Health information" means any information that identifies or can readily be associated with the identity of an incarcerated individual or detained individual and directly relates to the following: Medical, mental health, or dental diagnoses or conditions; medical, mental health, or dental services, treatments, or procedures, including requests for or complaints about such services, treatments, or procedures; transgender, intersex, nonbinary, or gender nonconforming status; sexual orientation; genital anatomy; or gender-affirming care or accommodations other than an incarcerated individual's or detained individual's preferred name, pronouns, and gender marker. (b) The following information is not "health information" under this section: (i) Health care information subject to RCW 42.56.360 (2) and chapter 70.02 RCW; and (ii) information related to injuries, other than injuries related to medical procedures or genital anatomy, contained in incident reports, infraction records, or use of force reports, prepared by department of corrections or private detention facility staff other than health care providers. (c) "Incarcerated individual" has the same meaning as "inmate" under RCW 72.09.015 and includes currently or formerly incarcerated individuals. (d) "Detained individual" means a person confined in a private detention facility. (e) "Private detention facility" has the same meaning as in RCW 70.395.020 . (5) A private detention facility operating pursuant to a contract with a state or local agency is subject to the requirements of this chapter.
RCW 42.14.020 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 14 / Section 020
RCW 42.14.020: Office of governor.
Status: in_force

(1) In the event that all successors to the office of governor as provided by Article 3, section 10, as amended by amendment 6 of the Constitution of the state of Washington are unavailable following a catastrophic incident, the powers and duties of the office of governor shall be exercised and discharged by the speaker of the house of representatives. (2) In the event the speaker of the house is unavailable, the powers and duties of the office of governor shall be exercised and discharged by the president pro tem of the senate. (3) In the event that neither the speaker nor the president pro tem is available, the house of representatives and the senate in joint assembly shall elect an emergency interim governor.
RCW 42.45.230 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 45 / Section 230
RCW 42.45.230: Prohibited acts.
Status: in_force

(1) A commission as a notary public does not authorize an individual to: (a) Assist persons in drafting legal records, give legal advice, or otherwise practice law; (b) Act as an immigration consultant or an expert on immigration matters; (c) Represent a person in a judicial or administrative proceeding relating to immigration to the United States, United States citizenship, or related matters; (d) Receive compensation for performing any of the activities listed in this subsection; or (e) Provide court reporting services. (2) A notary public may not engage in false or deceptive advertising. (3) A notary public, other than an attorney licensed to practice law in this state, or a Washington-licensed limited license legal technician acting within the scope of his or her license, may not use the term "notario" or "notario publico." (4) A notary public, other than an attorney licensed to practice law in this state or a limited license legal technician acting within the scope of his or her license, may not assist another person in selecting the appropriate certificate required by RCW 42.45.130 . (5) A notary public, other than an attorney licensed to practice law in this state, or a Washington-licensed limited license legal technician acting within the scope of his or her license, may not advertise or represent that the notary public may assist persons in drafting legal records, give legal advice, or otherwise practice law. If a notary public who is not an attorney licensed to practice law in this state, or a Washington-licensed limited license legal technician acting within the scope of his or her license, in any manner advertises or represents that the notary public offers notarial services, whether orally or in a record, including broadcast media, print media, and the internet, the notary public shall include the following statement, or an alternate statement authorized or required by the director, in the advertisement or representation, prominently and in each language used in the advertisement or representation: "I am not an attorney licensed to practice law in this state. I am not allowed to draft legal records, give advice on legal matters, including immigration, or charge a fee for those activities." If the form of advertisement or representation is not broadcast media, print media, or the internet and does not permit inclusion of the statement required by this subsection because of size, it must be displayed prominently or provided at the place of performance of the notarial act before the notarial act is performed. (6) Except as otherwise allowed by law, a notary public may not withhold access to or possession of an original record provided by a person that seeks performance of a notarial act by the notary public. A notary public may not maintain copies or electronic images of documents notarized unless the copies or images are maintained by an attorney or Washington-licensed limited license legal technician acting within his or her scope of practice for the performance of legal services or for other services performed for the client and the copies or images are not maintained solely as part of the notary transaction.
RCW 42.56.422 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 422
RCW 42.56.422: Office of cybersecurity—Reports and information.
Status: in_force

The reports and information compiled pursuant to RCW 43.105.450 and section 7, chapter 291, Laws of 2021 are confidential and may not be disclosed under this chapter.
RCW 42.56.556 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 556
RCW 42.56.556: Failure to provide recording of school district board of directors meeting.
Status: in_force

The failure to provide a recording of a school district board of directors meeting that is required to be recorded under RCW 42.30.035 (2) shall not be a basis for finding that a requester has been denied an opportunity to inspect or copy a public record if the recording, despite the good faith efforts of the school district board of directors to create a recording, is unavailable or unintelligible due to technical issues.
RCW 42.52.310 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 310
RCW 42.52.310: Legislative ethics board.
Status: in_force

(1) The legislative ethics board is created, composed of nine members, selected as follows: (a) Two senators, one from each of the two largest caucuses, appointed by the president of the senate; (b) Two members of the house of representatives, one from each of the two largest caucuses, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; (c) Five citizen members: (i) One citizen member chosen by the governor from a list of three individuals submitted by each of the four legislative caucuses; and (ii) One citizen member selected by three of the four other citizen members of the legislative ethics board. (2) Except for initial members and members completing partial terms, nonlegislative members shall serve a single five-year term. (3) No more than three of the public members may be identified with the same political party. (4) Terms of initial nonlegislative board members shall be staggered as follows: One member shall be appointed to a one-year term; one member shall be appointed to a two-year term; one member shall be appointed to a three-year term; one member shall be appointed to a four-year term; and one member shall be appointed for a five-year term. (5) A vacancy on the board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. (6) Legislative members shall serve two-year terms, from January 31st of an odd-numbered year until January 31st of the next odd-numbered year. (7) Each member shall serve for the term of his or her appointment and until his or her successor is appointed. (8) The citizen members shall annually select a chair from among themselves.
RCW 42.56.425 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 425
RCW 42.56.425: Election security.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 5892.SL ) ***

(1) The following information related to election security is exempt from disclosure under this chapter: (a) The continuity of operations plan for election operations and any security audits, security risk assessments, or security test results, relating to physical security or cybersecurity of election operations or infrastructure. These records are exempt from disclosure in their entirety; (b) Those portions of records, manuals, or documentation containing technical details and information regarding election infrastructure, which include the systems, software, and networks that support the election process, the public disclosure of which may increase risk to the integrity of election operations or infrastructure; (c) Voter signatures on ballot return envelopes, ballot declarations, and signature correction forms, including the original documents, copies, and electronic images; and a voter's phone number and email address contained on ballot return envelopes, ballot declarations, or signature correction forms. The secretary of state, by rule, may authorize in-person inspection of unredacted ballot return envelopes, ballot declarations, and signature correction forms in accordance with RCW 29A.04.260 ; (d) Records regarding the infrastructure of a private entity submitted to elections officials are exempt from disclosure for a period of 25 years after the creation of the record when accompanied by an express statement that the record contains information about the private entity's infrastructure and public disclosure may increase risk to the integrity of election operations or infrastructure; and (e) Voted ballots, voted ballot images, copies of voted ballots, photographs of voted ballots, facsimile images of voted ballots, or cast vote records of voted ballots, starting at the time of ballot return from the voter, during storage per RCW 29A.60.110 , and through destruction following any retention period or litigation. (2) The exemptions specified in subsection (1) of this section do not include information or records pertaining to security breaches, except as prohibited from disclosure under RCW 29A.12.200 . (3) The exemptions specified in subsection (1) of this section do not prohibit an audit authorized or required under Title 29A RCW from being conducted. (4) Requests for records from or any existing reports generated by the statewide voter registration database established under RCW 29A.08.105 must be submitted to and fulfilled by the secretary of state. If a county elections office receives a request for records from or any existing reports generated by the statewide voter registration database established under RCW 29A.08.105 , the county elections office is not required to produce any records in response to the request, but shall, by the deadline set forth in RCW 42.56.520 , direct the requestor to submit their request to the secretary of state.
RCW 42.45.040 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 45 / Section 040
RCW 42.45.040: Personal appearance.
Status: in_force

Except as provided in RCW 42.45.280 , if a notarial act relates to a statement made in or a signature executed on a record, the individual making the statement or executing the signature shall appear personally before the notarial officer.
RCW 42.56.300 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 56 / Section 300
RCW 42.56.300: Archaeological sites.
Status: in_force

(1) Records, maps, or other information identifying the location of archaeological sites in order to avoid the looting or depredation of such sites are exempt from disclosure under this chapter. (2) Records, maps, and other information, acquired during watershed analysis pursuant to the forests and fish report under RCW 76.09.370 , that identify the location of archaeological sites, historic sites, artifacts, or the sites of traditional religious, ceremonial, or social uses and activities of affected Indian tribes, are exempt from disclosure under this chapter in order to prevent the looting or depredation of such sites. (3) Any site form, report, specific fields and tables relating to site form data within a database, or geographic information systems spatial layer obtained by any state agency or local government, or shared between any state agency, local government, or tribal government, is exempt from disclosure under this chapter, if the material is related to: (a) An archaeological site as defined in RCW 27.53.030 ; (b) Historical [Historic] archaeological resources as defined in RCW 27.53.030 ; or (c) Traditional cultural places. (4) The local government or agency shall respond to requests from the owner of the real property for public records exempt under subsection (1), (2), or (3) of this section by providing information to the requestor on how to contact the department of archaeology and historic preservation to obtain available locality information on archaeological and cultural resources.
RCW 42.52.804 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 804
RCW 42.52.804: Exemption—Health profession board or commission—Professional opinions.
Status: in_force

Members of a health profession board or commission as identified in RCW 18.130.040 (2)(b) may express their professional opinions to an elected official about the work of the board or commission on which the member serves, even if those opinions differ from the department of health's official position. Such communication shall be to inform the elected official and not to lobby in support or opposition to any initiative to the legislature.
RCW 42.17A.010 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 010
RCW 42.17A.010: Conservation district exception.
Status: in_force

Elections of conservation district supervisors held pursuant to chapter 89.08 RCW shall not be considered general or special elections for purposes of the campaign disclosure and personal financial affairs reporting requirements of this chapter. Elected conservation district supervisors are not considered elected officials for purposes of the annual personal financial affairs reporting requirement of this chapter.
RCW 42.52.050 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 52 / Section 050
RCW 42.52.050: Confidential information—Improperly concealed records.
Status: in_force

(1) No state officer or state employee may accept employment or engage in any business or professional activity that the officer or employee might reasonably expect would require or induce him or her to make an unauthorized disclosure of confidential information acquired by the official or employee by reason of the official's or employee's official position. (2) No state officer or state employee may make a disclosure of confidential information gained by reason of the officer's or employee's official position or otherwise use the information for his or her personal gain or benefit or the gain or benefit of another, unless the disclosure has been authorized by statute or by the terms of a contract involving (a) the state officer's or state employee's agency and (b) the person or persons who have authority to waive the confidentiality of the information. (3) No state officer or state employee may disclose confidential information to any person not entitled or authorized to receive the information. (4) No state officer or state employee may intentionally conceal a record if the officer or employee knew the record was required to be released under chapter 42.56 RCW, was under a personal obligation to release the record, and failed to do so. This subsection does not apply where the decision to withhold the record was made in good faith.
RCW 42.17A.340 — Washington Code / Title 42 / Chapter 17A / Section 340
RCW 42.17A.340: Responsibility for compliance.
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the responsibility for compliance with RCW 42.17A.320 through 42.17A.335 shall be with the sponsor of the political advertising and not with the broadcasting station or other medium. (2) If a broadcasting station or other medium changes the content of a political advertisement, the station or medium shall be responsible for any failure of the advertisement to comply with RCW 42.17A.320 through 42.17A.335 that results from that change.