Chapter 42.17 RCW 

DISCLOSURE--CAMPAIGN FINANCES-­

LOBBYING--RECORDS 

42.17.270 Facilities for copying-.-Availability of public records. 

42.17.280 Times €Cil~' inspertion and copying.
 

42.]7.290 Prot~~~m of public records--Public access.
 

42.17.295 Desfwcrion of information relating to cmployee 

misconduCl_ 

42.17.300 Charges for CO'p)-ing. 

42.17.310 Certain perscmal and other records nempt. 

42.17.315	 Certain records obtained by colleges, universities, libraries, or arc~ exempt. 

42.17.320 Prompt rc£pmlS1:S required. 

42. I7.330 Court protottion of public records. 

42.17.340 Judicial r~ of agency actions. 

ADMINIsu~nON AND ENFORCEMENT 

42.17 .350	 Public dis.ciosure commission--Established-­

Membership---compcnsation, travel expe~.

42.17.360 Commission-Duties. 

42.17.370 Commission--:Additional powers. 

42.17.375	 Reports filed..nh county elections official--Rulcs 

governing', 

42.17.380 Secretary of Slate., attorney gcneral--Duties. 

42.17.390 Civil remedies :and sancUOM. 

42.17.395	 Viola tions--DderminalKm by commission--Issuance and' enfmccment of order--Hearing--Re. 

fcrral--Judicial review---Petition for ordc:T of 

enforcement. 

4:.;7.397	 Procedure L'llI08 petition fm enforcement of order of 

commission---Court's orCa of enforcement. 

42.]7.400 Enforcemen.t. 

42.17.405	 Suspension of reporting pTO'l'isions of chapter until January l. J9Bfi. JOT candicu:s., elected oITicia!s. political 

committees. anrl agencies in small jurisdictions-­

Voiding of suspc1Sion. 

42.17.410 Limitation on anions. 

42.17.420 Date of mailing deemed date cfTcceipt--Exception.. 

42.17.430 Certification. of xports. 

42.17.440 Statements' and llCpOrts. public ttCOTds. 

42.17 .450 Duty to prese:ve statements mao reports. 

42.17.900 Effective dale--1.973 c I. 

42.1 i .910 Sev.ac-bilit.)·_·-)973· c 1­

42.17.91 I SC'Ve:ra.bility--]975Ist~c 294. 

42.17.912 S'everability---1975-"62nG ex.s. t 112. 

42.17.920 Construction--1973 c L 

42.17.930 Chapter, section headings not part of law. 

42.17.940 Repealer--19i3c.l . 

42.17.945 Construction---J 975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 112. 

Materials specifically authorized to be printed and distributed by secretary of state: RCW 43.01.140. . 

Voting boundary commission. members subject to public disclosure 

act: RCW 29.70.060. 

RC\V 42.17.010 Declaration of policy. It is hereby 

declared by the sovereign people to be the public policy 

of the state of \Vashington: 

(1) That political campaign and lobbying contribu­

. tions	 and expenditures be· funy disclosed to the public 

and tha t secrecy is to be avoided. 

(2) That the people have the right to expect from 

their elected representatives at all levels of government· 

the utmost of integrity. honesty.. and fairness in their 

dealings. 

(Ch. 42.17 Rc\\'--p J] 

Sections 

42. 17.010 

42.17.020 

42.17.030 

42.1 i.040 

42.17.050 

42.17.060 

42.17.065 

42.17.067 

42.17.070 

42.17.080 

42.17.090 

42.17 .095 

42.17.100 

42.i7.105 

42.17.110 

42.17. I 20 

42.17.125 

42.17.130 

42.17.150 

42.ii.155 

42.17.160 

42.1i.170 

42.17.180 

42.17.190 

42.17 .200 

42.17.210 

.42. I7.220 

42.1 i .230 

Declaration of policy.
 

Definitions.
 

CAMPAIGN FINANCING 

Applicability. 

Obligation of political committees to file statement of 

organization. 

Cflmpaign treasurer--Depositories. 

D'eposit of contributions--Investment of campaign 

funds, qualifications--Unidentified contributions. 

Filing and reporting by continuing political committee. 

Fund-raising activities--Reporting by political com· 

mittees in lieu of reporting under RCW 42.17.080-­

Standards--Deposits-Sta tements. . 

AlHhoriz.ation of expenditures and restrictions thereon. 

Candidates' and treasurers' duty to report contributions 

and expenditures. 

Contents of report. 

Disposal of surplus funes. 

Special reports--Independent. campaign expendi. 

tures--Contributions to political committees. 

Special reports--Lafe contributions over five hundred 

dollars. 

Commercial advertisen-'-Documents and books of 

account to lJe open for public inspe<:tion--Delivery 

of copies to commi$sion upon request.. 

IdentifIcation of contributions· and communications. 

Candidate's personal use of contributions--When 

permitted. 

Forbids use of pu blic office or agency facilities in 

campaigns. 

LOBBYIST REPORTING 

Registration cf lobbyists. 

Photograph and information--Booklet--Publication--Lobbyists' booklet revolving fund. 

Exemption from registration. 

Reponing by lobbyists. 

Reports by employers of registered lobbyists. 

Legislative activities of state agencies and other units of 

government. 

Grass roots 'Iobbying campaigns. 

Employment of legislators. attaches, or state employ· 

ees--Statement, contents and filing. 

Employment of unregistered persons. 

. Duties of lobbyists. 

REPORTING OF ELECTED OFFICIALS FrNANCIAL AFFAIRS 

42.1 i .240 Elected and appointed officials reports of financial 

affairs. 

42.17.241 Local elected officials. time for filing statements. 

42.17.242	 . Concealing identity of source of payment prohibited--

Exception. 

42.17.243	 Public office fund--What constitutes, restrictions on' 

use--Reportin£ of--Disposal of remaining funds. 

REPORTING BY PUBLIC TREASURERS 

42.17.245	 Public accounts of governmental entities held by financial institutions-Statements and reports~on·

tents--Filing. 

•	 

PUBLIC RECORDS 

42.17.250 Duty to publish procedures. 

42.17.260 Documents and indexes to be made public. 

(1983 Laws) 
42.17.010 Disclosure ' 

(3) That the people shall be assured that the private 

financial dealings of their public officials, and of candidates for those offices, present no conflict of interest between the public trust and private interest. 

(4) That our representative form of government is 

founded on a belief that those entrusted with the offices 

of government _have nothing to fear from full public disclosure of their financial and business holdings, provided 

those officials deal honestly and fairly with the people. 

(5) That public confidence in government at all levels 

is essential and must be promoted by all possible means. 

(6) That public confidence in government at all levels 

can best be sustained by assuring the people of the impartiality and honesty of the officials in all public transactions and decisions. 

(7) That the concept of attempting to increase financial participation of individual contributors in political 

campaigns is encouraged by the passage of the Revenue 

Act of 1971 by the Congress of the United States, and in , 

consequence thereof, it is desirable to have implementing 

legisla tion at the state level. 

(8) That the concepts of disclosure and li,mitation of 

election campaign financing are established by the passage of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 by 

the Congress of the United States, and in consequence 

, thereof it is desirable to have implementing legislation at
 

the sta te level.
 

(9) That small contributions by individual contributors are to be encouraged, and that not requiring the reporting 9f small contributions may tend, to 'encourage 

such contributions. 

(10) That the public's right to know of the financing 

of political campaigns and lobbying and the financial 

affairs of elected officials and candidates far outweighs 

any right that these matters remain secret and private. 

(11) That, mindful of the right of individuals to pri­

\;ac\, and of the desirabilitv of the efficient administration of government, full ac~ess to information concerning 

the conduct of government on every level must be assured as a fU'ndamental and necessary precondition to 

the sound governance of a free society. 

The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed to promote complete disclosure of all information 

,. respecting the financing of political campaigns and lob­

'bying, and the financial affairs of elected officials and 

candidates, and full access to public records so as to assure continuing public confidence of fairness of elections 

and governmental processes, and so as to assure that the 

pu blic interest wHi be fully protected. In promoting such 

.complete, ,disClosure, however, this chapter shall be enforced so as to insure that the information disclosed will 

not be misused for arbitrary and capricious purposes and 

to insure that all persons reponing under this chapter 

will be protected from harassment and unfounded allegations based on information they have freely disclosed. 

[1975 1st ex.s. c 294 § 1; 1973 c 1 §, 1 (Initiative Measure No. 276, approved November 7, 1972).] 

Sunset Act application: See note following RCW 42.17.350.. 

RCW 42~J7.020 Definitions. (I) "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, qU3.si-municipal corporation, or special 

purpose district, or any office, department, division, bureau, board, commission, or agency thereof, or other local public agency. 

(2) "Ballot proposition" means any "measure" as defined by RCW 29.01.110, 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 such proposition has been initially filed 

with the appropriate election officer of that constituency 

prior to its circulation for signatures. 

(3) "Campaign depository" means a bank designated 

by a candidate or political committee pursuant to RCW 

42.17.050. 

(4) "Campaign treasurert< and "deputy campaign 

treasurer" mean the individuals appointed by a candidate or political committee,. pursuant to RCW 42.17­

.050, to perform the duties specified in that section. 

(5) "Candidate" means any individual who seeks 

eJection to public office. An individual sb2JI be deemed 

to seek election when he first: 

(a) Receives contributions or makes expenditures or 

reserves space 'or facilities witb intent to promote his 

candida(~, for office; or 

(b) Announces publicly or files for off"lCC.. 

(6) "Commercial advertiseT~ means any person who 

sells the service of communicating messages or producing printed material for broadQiSt or distJ:ibution to the 

general public or segments of the general public whether 

through the use of newspapers., magazin~ television and 

radio stations, billboard companies, direcl mail advertising companies, printing companies, or o1Derwise. 

(7) "Commission" means the agency established under RC\V 42.17.350. 

(8) "Compensation" unless the context requires a 

narrower me2.ning, includes payment in any form for 

real or' personal property or services of any kind: Provided, That for the purpose of compliance with RCW 

42.17.240, as now or hereafter amended, the term 

"compensa tion" sh,!ll not include per diem allowances or 

other payments made by a governmental entity to reimburse ,a public official for expenses incurred while such 

official is engaged in the official business of such gov­

,ernmental emity. 

(9) "Continuing political committeeP. means a political committee which is an oT'S!anization of continuine 

ex'istence' not established in anticipation of any particu: 

lar election. 

(10) "Contribution" includes a loan.. gift, deposit, 

subscription, forgiveness of indebtedness,' donation, advance, pledge, payment, transfer of funds between political committees, or transfer of anything of value, 

including personal and professional services for less than 

full consider2.tion, but does not include interest on mon­ p 'l\

eys deposited in a political ~ommittee's account, ordi­ ( nary home hospitality and the rendering of "part time" 

personal services of the sort commonly performed by 

(Ch. 42.17 RCW-p 2] (1983 Laws) 
•••• 

Disdosure 42.J7~020

# volunteer campaign workers or incidental expenses per­ proposed in either house of the state legislature. and in­

• 

sonally incurred by volunteer campaign workers not in 

excess of twenty-five dollars personally paid for by such 

worker. ·Part time" services, for the purposes of this 

chapter, means' services in addition to regular full time 

employment, or, in the case of an unemployed person, 

services not in excess of twenty hours per week, excluding weekends. For the purposes of this chapter, contributions. other than money or its equivalents shall be 

deemed to have a money value equivalent to the fair 

market value of the contribution. Sums paid for tickets 

to fund-raising events such as dinners and parties are 

contributions; however, the amount of any such contribution may be reduced for the purpose of complying 

with the reporting requirements of this chapter, by the 

actual cost of consumables furnished in connection with 

the purchase of such tickets, and only the excess over 

actual cost of such consumables shall be deemed a 

contribution. 

(11) •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. 

•
 

(12) •Election I' includes any primary, gene~::.l, or spe­


cial election for public office and any.election in which a
 

ballot proposition is submitted to the voters: Provided,
 

That an election in which the qualifications fer voting
 

include other than those requirements set forth in Arti­


cle VI, section I (Amendment 63) of the Constitution of
 

the state of \Vashington shall not be considered an elec­


tion for purposes of this chapter.
 

( 13) "Election campaign" means any· campaign in 

support of or in opposition to a candidate for election to 

pu blic office and any campaign in support of, or in opposition to, a ballot proposition. 

(14) "Expenditure" includes a payment, contribution, 

subscription. distribution, loan, advance, deposit, or gift 

of money or anything .of value, and includes a contract, 

promise, or agreemeriL whether or not legally enforcea ble~ to m2ke an expenditure. The term "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. The term "expenditure" 

shaH not include the partial or complete repayment by a 

candidate or political committee of the principal of. a 

loan. the 'receipt of which loan has been properly reported, or payment of service charges against a political 

committee's campaign account. 

(IS) "Final report" means the report described as a 

final report in RC\V 42.17.080(2). 

() 6) "Immediate family" includes the spouse, dependent children. and other dependent relatives. if living in 

the household. 

(17) "Legislation" means bills, resolutions, motions, 

amendments, nominations, and other matte.rs pending or 

cludes any other mann which may be the subject of action by either house, or any committee of the legislature 

and all bills and resolutions which having passed both 

houses, are pending approval by the governor. 

(18) "Lobby" and "lobbying" each mean attempting' 

to influenc(i: the passage or defeat of any legislation. by 

the legish:mre of the state of Washington. or the adoption or rejection of any rule.. standard, rate. or other 

legisla tive enactment of any state agency under the state 

administrative procedure acts, chapter 34.04 RCW and 

chapter 28B.19 RC\\'_ 

(19) "Lobbyist'" includes any person who shalJ lobby 

either in his own or another's behalf. 

(20) "Lobbyist's employer" means the person or persons by whom a lobb~ist is employed and all persons: by 

whom he is compensated for acting as a lobbyist. 

(21) "PersOn" inciDdes an individual, partnership, 

joint venture, public or private corporation, association, 

federal, state, or local governmental entity or agency 

however constituterl" candidate, committee, polit.ical 

committee, political party, executive committee thereof. 

or any other organi~tion or group of persons, however 

organized. 

(22) "Person in. mterest" means the person who is the 

subject of a· recor.d or .any representative designated by 

said person, except that if such person be under a legal 

disability,. the term "'pa:son in inleresC shall mean and 

include the parent or. duly appointed legal representative. 

• (23) "Political ad'l,."l:I1ising" includes any advertising 

displays, newspaper a~ billboards., signs, brochures, ::.r_~

ticles, ta bloids, flyers~ ktters, radio or television presentations, or other mea:ns of mass communication. used for 

the purpose of appea.~., directl)' orindirectly, for votes 

or for financial O£ other support in any erection 

campaign. 

(24) "Political com....mttee" means any person (except 

a candidate or an indn'iidual deaJing with his own .funds, . 

or propert~·) having the expectation of receiving ~ontributions or making, exp:z:nditures in support of. or opposition to, any candidate or any baUot proposition. 

(25) "Public office"" means any federal, state, county, 

city, town, school dis.t:iict, port district. special district. 

or other state political subdivision elective office. 

(26) "Public record'" includes any writing containing 

information relating. to the conduct of government or the 

performance of any ~overnmental or proprietary function prepared, owned, llsed, or retained by any state or 

local agency regaTdiess of physical form or 

characteristics. 

(27) "Surplus funds" mean, in the case of a political 

committee or candidate, the balance of contributions 

wnich remain in the possession or control of that committee or candidate SIlosequent to the election for which 

the contributRQ;ns ~I::r~ received.. and which are in excess 

of the amount necessary to pay remaining debts incurred 

by the committee or- candidate prior to that election. In 

the case of a continuing political committee. "surplus 

funds" mean those contributions remaining in the pos'": 

session or control of the committee which are in excess 

(1983 Laws) (eb. 42.17RCW-,. 3) 
6 

42.] 7.020 Disclosure. 

".' 

,of the amount necessary to pay all remaining debts when (c) The names, addresses., and titles of its officers; or 

'it makes its final report under RCW 42.17.065. if it has no officers, the names, addresses, and titles of 

(28) "\Vriting" means handwriting, typewriting, its responsible leaders; 

printing, photostating, photographing, and every other (d) The name and address of its campaign treasurer 

me,ans of recording any form of communication or rep­ and campaign de'pository; 

resentation, in.eluding letters, words, pictures, sounds, or (e) A statement whether the committee is a continusymbols, or combination thereof, and all papers, maps, ing one; 

magnetic or paper tapes, photographic films and prints, (f) The name, office sought, and party affiliation of 

magnetic or punched cards, discs, drums, and other each candidate whom the committee is supporting or. 

documents. opposing, and, if the committee is supporting the entire 

As used in this chapter, the singular shall take the ticket of any party, the name of the party; 

plural and any gender, the other, as the context requires. (g) The ballot proposition concerned, if any, and 

[1979 ex.s. c 50 § 1: 1977 ex.s. c 313 § 1; 1975 1st ex.s. whether the committee is in favor of or opposed to such 

c 294 § 2: 1973 c 1 § 2 (Initiative Measure No. 276, proposition: 

approved November 7, 1972).] (h) \\'hat distribution of surplus funds will be made. 

in accordance with RCW 42.17.095., in the event of Effective date--1977 ex.S. c 313: ·This 1977 amendatory act shall
 

take effect on January 1, 1978: I) 977 ex.s. c 313 § 9.) dissolution;
 

,Se\'erabilit)'·--.l977 ex.s. c 313: "If any provision of this 1977 (i) The street address of the place and the hours dur­


amendatory act, or its application to any person or circumstance is . ing which the committee will make available for public
 held invalid, the remaind~r of the aCt, or the application of the provi.
 inspection its books of account and all reports filed in sion to other persons or circumstances is not affected." 11977 e:u. c accordance with RC\V 42.17.065 and 42.17.080, as now 313 § 8.) or hereafter amended; and 

U) Such other information as the commission may by 

regulation prescribe, in keeping with the policies and 

CAMPAIGN FINANCING purposes of this chapter.

(3) Any material chang.e in information previously 

RC\V,42.17.030 Applicabilit)'. The provisions of this submitted in a statement of organization shall be rechapter relating to the financing of election campaigns ported i(. the commission and to the appropriate county 

shall apply in all election campaigns other than (a) for elections officer within the ten days following the 

precinct committeeman; (b) for a federal 'elective office; change. [1982 c 147 § 1; 1977 ex.5. c 336 § 1; 1975 1st 

and (c) for an office the constituency of which does not ex.s. ex.s. c 294 § 3; 1973 c 1 § 4 (Initiative Measure 

encompass a whole county and which contains less than No. 276, approved November 7, 1972).]' 

five thousand registered voters as of the date of the most Sunset Act application: See note following RCW 42.17.350. 

recent general election in such district. [1977 ex.s. c 313 Se\'erability-1977 ex.s. c 336: -If any provision of this 1977 

§ 2: 1973 c 1 § 3 (Initiative Measure No. 276, approved amendatory act. or its applicatiOn tD any person or circumstance is 

held invalid, the remainder of the 2C2. ()r the application of the provi­ 'November 7, 1972).J sion to other persons or circumstanttS is not affected.· [1977 ex.s. C 

Sunset Act application: See note following RCW 42.) 7.350. 336 § 8.) This applies to the enaetml:Dt of RCW 42.17.095, 42.17.125. 

. Effecth'e date---Severability--1977 ex.s. c 313: See notes fol­ 42.17.242, and 42.17.243 and the ~dment of RCW 42.1'7.040. 42· ' 

lowing RCW 42.p.020. .17.090, and 42.17.370. 

Effective date--1973 c J: See RCW 42.17.900. 

.060, 68.16.140. 

RC\V 42.17.050 Campaign treasurer--DepositorRCW 42.17.040 Obligation of political committees ies. (1) Each candidate, within two weeks after becomt~ file statement· of organization. (1) Every political ing a candidate, and each political committee, at the 

committee, within two weeks after its organization or, time it is required to file a statement of organization, 

within two weeks after the date when it first has the ex· shall designate and file with the commission and the appectation of receiving contributions or making expendi­ propriate county elections officer the names and adtures in any election campaign, whichever is earlier, ,dresses of: 

shall file a statement of organization with the commis­ (a) One legally competent individual, who may be the 

.sion' and with the county auditor or elections officer of candida~e, to serve as a campaign treasurer; and 

,the county in which the candidate resides (or in the case . (b) A bank, mutual savings bank, savings and loan 

of a political committee supporting or opposing a ballot association, or credit union doing business in this state to 

proposition, the county in which the campaign treasurer serve as campaign depository and the name of the acresides). count or accounts therein maintained. 

Cemetery district commissioners exempt from chapter: RCW 68.16· 

(2) The statement of organization shall include but (2) A candidate, a political committee or a campaign 

not be limited to: treasurer may appoint as many depu'ty campaign treas­

(a) The name and address 'of the committee; urers as is considered necessary and may designate not 

(b) The names and addresses of all related OJ: affili· more than one additional campaign depository in each 

ated committees or other persons, and the nature of the other county in which the campaign is conducted. The 

relationship or affiliation; candidate or political committee shall file the names and 

ICh. 42.17 RCW-p 41 (\983 Laws) 
Disclosure 42.17.065 

addresses of the 'deputy 'campaign treasurers and addi-· the total accumulated contributions received in the cur­

( tional campaign depositories with the commission and \ the appropriate county elections officer. 

(3) (a) A candid2.te or political committee may at any 

time remove a campaign treasurer or deputy campaign • treasurer or change a designated campaign depository. 

(b) In the event of the death, resignation, removal, or 

rent calendar year or three hundred dollars (whichever is 

more), may not be deposited, used, or expended, but 

shall be returned to the donor, if his identity can be ascertained. If the donor cannot be ascertained, the contribution shall escheat to the state, and shall be paid to 

the state ·treasurer for deposit in the state general fund. 

change, of a campaign treasurer, deputy carr.paign treasurer, or depository, the candidate or political committee 

shall designate and file with the commission and the appropriate county elections officer the name and address 

of any successor. 

(4) No campaign treasurer, deputy campaign treasurer, or campaign depository may be deemed to be in 

compliance with the provisions of this chapter until his 

name and address is filed with the commission and the 

appropriate county elections officer. [1982 c 147 § 2; 

]9i3 c 1 § 5 (Initiative Measure No. 276, approved 

November 7, 1972).) 

Sunset Act application: See note following RCW 42.17.350. 

RC\\' 42.17.060 Deposit of contributioris--In~

~'estment of campaign funds, qualifications-'-Unidentified contributions. (1) All monetary contributions 

received by a candidate or political committee shall be 

deposited by the campaign treasurer ot deputy treasurer 

in a campaign depository in an account established and 

designated for that purpose. Such deposits shall be made 

within five business days of receipt of the contribution. 

(2) Political committees which support or oppose 

more than one candidate or ballot propOSition, or exist 

for more than one purpose, may maintain multiple sepa­ ·.1 . rate bank accounts within the same designated depository for such purpose: Pro~,jded, That each such account 

shall bear the same name followed by an appropriate 

designation which accurately identifies its separate purpose: And provided 'further,· That transfers of funds 

which must be reponed under RC\V 42.17 .090(1 )(d), as 

now or hereafter amended, may not be made from more 

than one such account. 

(3) Nothing in this section prohibits a candidate or 

politicaJ committee from investing funds on hand in a 

campaign depository in bonds, certificates, or savings 

accounts or other similar savings instruments in financial 

institutions other than the campaign depository: Pro­

. ~'idcd. Tha·t the commission and the appropriate county 

elect ions officer is notified in writing of the initiation 

:..lnd the termination of the investment:. Provided further, 

ThJt the principal of such investment when terminated 

together with all interest, dividends, and income derived 

from .the i'nvestment are deposited in the campaign depository in the account from which the investment was 

made and properly reported to the commission and the 

appropriate county elections officer prior to any further 

disposition or expenditure thereof. 

(4) Accumulated unidentified contributions, other 

than those made by persons whose names must be maintained on a sepuate and private list by a political committee's campaign treasurer pursuant to RC\\' 

42.17 .090(1 )(b), which total in excess of one percent of 

() 983 Laws) 

[1982 c 147 § 3; 1977 eX.5. C 313 § 3; 1975 1st ex.5. c 

294 § 4; 1973 c 1 § 6 (Initiative Measure No. 276, approved November 7. ] 972).] 

Sunset Act application: See note following RCW 42.17.350. 

Effecth'e date-Se\erability--1977 exoS. t 313: See notes "following RCW 42.17.020. 

RC\\' 42.17.065 Filing and reporting by continuing 

political committee. (l) In addition to the provisions of 

this section, a continuing political committee shall file 

and report on the same conditions and at the same times 

as any other committee. in accordance with the provisions of RC\V 42.17.040, 42.17.050, and 42. I7.060 as 

now or hereafter amended. 

(2) A continuing political committee shall file with 

the commission and the auditor or elections officer of 

the county in which the committee maintains its office 

or headquarters and jf there is no such office or headquarters then in the county in which the com~.iHee

treasurer resides a report on the tenth day of toe month 

detailing its activities for the preceding calendar month 

iT" which the committee has received a contribution or 

r::dde an expenditure: Prm';det:L That such report shall 

only be filed if either the total contributions received or 

total expenditures m2de since the last such report exceed 

two hundred dollars. The report shall be on a form supplied by the commission and shall include the following 

information: . 

(a) The information ~equired by RC\V 42.17.090 as . 

now or hereafter amended; 

(b) Each expenditure made to retire previously acc~-·

mulated debts of the committee; identified by recipient, 

amount, and date of payments~ . 

(c) Such other information as the commission shall bv 

rule prescribe. • 

(3) If a continuing political committee shall make a 

contribution in support of or in opposition to a candidate 

or ballot proposition within sixty days prior to the date 

on which such candio2te or ballot proposition will be 

voted upon, such cominuing political committee shall report pursuant to RC\\' 42.17.080. as now or hereafter 

3mended. until twenty-one d2ys after said election. 

(4) A continuing political committee shaH file reports 

as required by this chapter until it is dissolved. at which 

ti.mc a final report shall be filed. Upon submitting a. final report, the duties of the campaign treasurer shall 

cease and there shall be no obligation to make any further reports. 

(5) The campaign treasurer shall maintain books of 

account accurately renecting all contributions and expenditures on a current basis \\;ithin five business days of 

receipt or expenditure. During the eight days immediately preceding the date of any election, for which the 

committee has received any contributions or made any 

leh. 42.17 RCW-p S] 
42.17.065	 Disclosure 

expenditures. the books of account shall be kept current 

within one business day and shall be open for public inspection for at least two consecutive hours Monday 

through Friday, excluding legal holidays, between 8:00 

a.m. and 8:00 p.m., as specified in the committee's 

statement of organization filed pursuant to RCW 42.i7­

.040 as now or hereafter amended. at the principal campaign headquarters or, if ·there is no campaign 

headquarters. at the address of the campaign treasurer 

or such. other place as may be authorized by the 

commission. 

(6) All reports filed pursuant to this section shall be 

certified as correct by the campaign treasurer. 

(7) The campaign treasurer shall preserve books of 

account, bills. receipts, and all other financial records of 

the campaign or political committee for not less than 

five calendar years following the year during which the 

transaction occurred. [1982 c 147 § 4; 1975 1st ex.s. c 

294 .§ 5.) 

Sunset Act applicBtion: See note following RCW 42.17.350. 

RC\\' 42.17.067 Fund-raising acthities--Reporting b)' political committees in lieu of reporting under 

RCW 42.17.080-.....Standards--Deposits-State­

.ments. (1) Fund-raising activities which meet the standards of subsection (2) of this section may be reported in 

accordance with the provisions of this section in lieu of 

reponing in accordance with RC\V 42.17.080(3) as now 

or hereafter amended. 

(2) A fund-raising activity which is to be reported in 

accordance with the provisions of this section shall conform ",·'ith the· following standards: 

(a) The income resulting from the conduct of the activity is derived solely from either (i) the retail sale of 

goods or services at prices which in no case exceed a 

reasonable approximation of the· fair market value of 

each· item or service sold at the activity, or (ii) a gamhling operation which is licensed. conducted, or operated 

in accordance ·with the provisions of chapter 9.46 RC\V 

and at which in no case is. the monetary value of any 

prize exceeded by the monetary value of any single wager which may be made by a person participating in 

• such activity; 

(b) No person responsible for receiving money at such 

activity may knowingly accept payment from a single 

person which would result in a profit to the committee of 

twenty-five dollars or more unless the name and address 

of the person. making such payment .together with the 

.approximate amount of profit to the committee resulting 

from such payment are disclosed in the report filed pursuant to su bsection (4) of this section; and 

.	 ·(c) Such other standards as shall be established by 

rule and regulation of the commission to prevent frustration oflhe purposes of this chapter. 

(3) All funds obtained through the use of a fundraising activity which conforms with the provisions of 

subsection (2) of this section shall·be deposited within 

five business days of receipt by the cU'mpaign treasurer 

or deputy ocampaign treasurer in the same account into 

which contributions received by the committee are being 

deposited pursuant to RC\\' 42.17,060. . 

ICb. 42.17 RCW-p 61 

(4) At the ti~e such funds are deposited in accordance with subsection (3) of this section,. the campaign 

treasurer or deputy campaign treasurer making the deposit shall file with the commission a report of the fundraising activity which shall contain the following 

information:· . 

(a) The date on which the activity occurred; 

(b) The 10cationat which the activity occurred; 

(c) A precise description: of the fund-raising methods 

used in the activity; 

(d) A financial statement noting gross receipts and 

expenses for the activity, including an inventory list 

where appropriate: 

(e) The monetary value: of wagers made and prizes 

distributed for winning wagers.. where appropriate: 

(f) The name and address of each person who contributed goods or services: to the commi.ttee for sale at 

the activity if the fair market ,-alue· of the goods or services contributed equals twenty-five donars or more in 

the aggregate from such person, together with a precise 

description of each item or service contributed and its 

estimated market value; 

(g) The name and address of each person whose identity can be ascertained and who makes payments to the 

committee at such activity which result in a profit of 

twenty-five dollars or more to the committee, together 

with the :t.pproximate amount of profit to the committee 

which re&ults from such payments; and (\... (h) A complete listing of the names and addresses of "-_0 the persons responsible for oonducting the activity.	 i 

\ ..... (5) The statement required by subsection (4) of this 

section shall be in duplicate upon a form prescribed by 

the commission, one' copy to be filed by the campaign 

treasurer with the commiss~ and one copy to be retained by him for his records.. Each statement shall be 

certified as correct by the campaign treasurer or deputy 

treasurer making the deposfL [] 982 c 14-7 § 5; 1975-'76 

2nd ex.s. c 112 § 9.) 

SUflsel Act application: See note: foDowing RCW 42. J7.350. 

RC\V 42.17.070 Authorization of expenditures and 

restrictions thereon. No ex.penditures shall be made or 

incurred by any candidate or political committee except 

on the authority of the campaign treasurer or the candida te, and a record of· an such expenditures· shall be 

maintained by the campaign treasurer. {l973 c I § 7 

(Initiative l\1easure No. 276, approved November 7, 

1972).) 

Sunset A_ct application: See note following RC'W 42.17.350. 

RC\\' 42.17.080 Candidates' and treasurers' duty to 

report contributions and expenditures. (1) On the day the 

campaign treasurer is designated, each candidate or p0­

litical committee shall file with the commission and the 

county auditor or elections officer of the county in which 

the candidate resides (or in the case of a political committee supporting or opposing a ballot proposition. the 

county in which the campaign treasurer resides), in addition to any statement of organization required under 

RCW 42.17.040 or 42.17.050 as now or hereafter 

(1983 Laws) 
••• 

Disclosure 42.17.090 

• amended, a report of all contributions received and ex­ least two consecutive hours Monday through Friday. expenditures made prior to that date, if any. cluding legal holidays, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., 

• 

(2) At the following intervals each campaign treasurer 

shrdl file with the commission and the county auditor or 

elections officer of the county in which the candida te resides (or in the case of a political committee supporting 

or opposing a ballot proposition, the county in which the 

ca mpaign maintains its office or headquarters and if 

there is no office or headquarters then in the county in 

which the campaign treasurer resides) a report containing the information required by RCW 42.17.090 as now 

or hereafter amended: 

(a) On the twenty-first day and the seventh day immediately preceding the date on which the election is 

held; and 

(b) \\'ithin twenty-one days after the date of the 

election; and 

(c) On the tenth day of each month in which no other 

reports are required to be filed under this section: Prol'jded, That such report shall only be filed if the committee >has received a contribution or made an 

expenditure in the preceding calendar month and· either 

the total contributions received or total expenditures 

made since the last such repon ex.ceed two hundred 

dollars. . 

\\'hen there is no outstanding debt or obligation, and 

the campaign fund is closed,· and the campaign is concluded in all respects, and in the case of a political comm·iuee, the committee has ceased to function and has 

dissolved, the campaign treasurer shall file a final report. 

Upon submitting a final report,· the. duties 0; the campaign treasurer shall ceast and there shall be no obligetion to make any further reports. 

(3 ) For. the period beginning the first day of the 

fourth month preceding the date on which the special or 

general election is held and ending on the date of that 

election, the campaign treasurer shall file with the commission and the appropriate county elections officer a 

report of each contribution received during that period 

at the time that contribution is deposited pursuant to 

RC\V 42.17.060(1). as now or hereafter amended. The 

report ·shall contain the name ·of each person contributing the funds so deposited and the amount contributed 

by each person: Provided, That contributions of less that 

[than] twenty-five dollars from anyone person may be 

deposited without identifying the contributor. A copy of 

the report shall be retained by the campaign treasurer 

for his records. In the event of deposits made by a· deputy campaign treasurer, the copy shall be forwarded 10 

the campaign treasurer to be retained by him for his records. Each report shall be certified as correCI by the 

ci.Jmpa-ign lreasurer or deputy c:1mpaign treasurer making the deposit. . 

(4) The campaign treasurer or candidate shal1 maintain books of account accurately reOecting all contributions and expenditures on a current basis within five 

business days of receipt or expenditure. During the eight 

days immediately preceding the date of the election the 

books of account shan be kept current within one business day and shall be open for public inspection for at 

as specified in the committee's statement of or.ganization 

filed pursuant to RC\V 42.17.040 as now or hereafter 

amended, at the principal campaign headquarters or, if 

there is no campaign headquarters, at the address of the 

campaign treasurer or such other place: as may be authorized by the commission. The campaign treasurer or 

candidate shall preserve books of account, bills. receipts, 

and all other financial records of the campaign or political committee for not Jess than five calendar years following the year during which the transaction occurred. 

(5) All reports filed pursuant to subsections (l) or (2) 

of this section shall be certified as correct by the candidate and the campaign treasurer. 

(6) Copies of all reports filed pursuant to this section 

shall be readily available for public inspection for at 

least two consecutive hours: Monday through Friday. excluding legal holidays, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., 

as specified in the committee's statement of organization 

filed pursuant to RC\\' 42.17.040 as now or hereafter 

amended, .at the principal campaign headquarters or, jf 

there is no campaign headquarters, at the address of the 

campaign treasurer or such other place as may be authorized by the commission. [1982 c 147 § 6; 1975 1st 

ex.s. c 294 § 6; 19i3 c 1 § 8 (Initiative Measure No. 

276, appovec November 7, 1972).} 

Sunset Act application: See !lote follov.inE RCW 42.17.350. 

• RC\V 42.17.090 Contents of r.e'ort. (l) Each report 

required under RC\\' 42.17.080 (1) and (2),. as now or 

hereafter amended, -sh~1J disclose for the period begin.· 

ning at the end of the period for the last report or, in the 

case of an initial report, at the time of the first contri·· 

bution or expenditure, and ending not more thari five 

days prior to the date the report is due: 

(a) The funds on band at the beginning of the period; 

(b) The name and address of each pers.on who has' 

made one or more contributions during the period, together with the money value and date of such contributions and the aggregate value of all contributions 

received from each such perron during the campaign or 

in the case of a continuing political committee, the cmrent calendar vear: Provided, That the income which results from thOe conducting of a. fund-raising activity 

which has previously been reported in accordance with 

RC\\' 42.17.067 may be reported as one lump sum, with 

the exception of tha.t portion of.such income whi·ch was 

received from persons whose names and addresses are 

required to be included in the report required by RCW 

42.17.0()7: Pr(wided further, That contributions or less 

tha n l wcnty-five dollars in the aggregate from anyone 

person during the election campaign may be' reported as 

one lump sum so long as the campaign treasurer maintains a separate and private list of the names, addresses, 

, and amounts of each such contributor; 

(c) Each loan, promissory note, or security instrument 

to be used by or for the benefit of the candidate or p0­

litical committee made by any person, together with the 

names and addresses of the lender and each person liable 

directly, indirectly or contingentl)' and the date and 

(1983 Laws) lCh. 42.17 RC\\!--p 7} 
42.17.090	 "DisClosure 

amount of each such loan, promissory note, or security 

instrument; 

(d) The name and address of each political committee 

from which the reporting committee or candidate received, or to which that committee or candidate made, 

any'transfer of funds, together with the a":l0unts, d3~es,

and purpose orall such transfers. Information regarding 

the following shall be contained in a separate category of 

the report bearing the title "Transfer of funds": Contributions maqe from the campaign depository of one candidate to the campaign of another candidate; and 

contributions received by a candidate, or for the campaign of the candidate, from the campaign depository of 

another candidate; 

(e) All other contributions· not otherwise listed or 

exempted; 

(f) The name and address of each person to whom an 

expenditure was made in the aggregate amount of fifty 

dollars or more, and the amount, date, and purpose of 

each such expenditure; 

(g) The total sum of expe~d.itures; . . 

'(h) The surplus or deficit .of contT1~utlOns over 

expenditures; . 

(i) The disposition made in accordance with RCW 

42.17.095 of any surplus funds; . 

. U) Such other information as shall'be req~lred by th.e 

, commission by regulation in	 conformance with the polIcies and purposes of this chapter~ ~nd,. . 

(k) Funds received from a political comml.ttee n~t.domiciled in \Vashington state and not otherWIse reqUired 

to report under this chapter (a "nonreporting committee"). Such funds shall be forfeited to the state of 

\Vashington unless' the non reporting committee or the 

recipient of such funds has filed or within ten d.ay.s following such receipt shall file with the cOmmlS~!On a 

statement disclosing: (i) its name and address; (n) the 

purposes of the nonreporting com.mit~e~; (iii) the n~mes,

addresses, and titles of its officers or If It has no offIcers, 

the names addresses and titles of its responsible leaders; 

'(iv) a stat~ment wh~ther the nonreporting committee is 

a continuing one; (v) the name, office sought, and party 

affiliation of each candidate in the state of \Vashington 

whom the nonreporting committee is supporting, and, if 

such committee is supporting the entire ticket of any 

• p::1rty, the name of the party; (vi) the ball.ot prop?sition 

. supported or opposed in the state of Washington, If any. 

and whether such committee is in favor of or opposed to 

,such	 proposition; (vii) the name an~ address of each 

person residing in the state of \\~ashln~ton or corporation. which has a place of busmess In the state of 

Washington 'who has made one or more contributions in 

'the aggregate of twenty-five dollars or more to the nonreporting committee during the current calendar yea~,

I.	 together with the money value and date of such contr.lbutions; (viii) the, name and address of each person m 

commission may by regulation prescribe, in keeping with 

the policies and purposes of this chapter. A nonreporting 

committee incurring an obligation to file additional reports in a calendar year may satisfy the obligation by 

filing with the co~mission a leuer providing updating or 

emending information. 

(2) The campaign treasurer and the candidate shall 

certify the correctness of each report. [1983 c 96 § 1; 

1982 c 147 § 7; 1977 ex.s. c 336 § 2; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. 

c 112 § 3; 1975 1st ex.s. c: 294 § 7; 1973 c 1 § 9 (Initiative J\.1easure No. 276, approved November 7, 1972).] 

Sunset Act application: See nole foll<>wing RCW 42.17.350.
 

Seferabilit)'-J977 ex.S. c 336: See note following RCW
 

42.17.040. 

Appearance	 of fairness doctrine--Application 10 candidates for 

public office-Campaign contributions: RCW 42.36.040, 

42.36.050. 

RC\V 42.17.095 DispossJ of surplus funds. The surplus funds of a candidate,. or of a political committee 

supporting or opposing a candidate, may only be disposed of in anyone or more of the following ways: 

(1) Return the surplus to a contributor in an amount 

not to exceed that contributoT~s original contribution; 

(2) Transfer the surplus to the candidate's personal 

account as reimbursement for lost earnings incurred as a 

result of that candidate's election campaign. Such lost 

earnings shall be verifia ble as unpaid salary or, when the 

candidalt<. is not salaried, as an 2mount not to exceed income received bv the candirl2.te for services rendered 

during an appropriate, corresponding time period. All () lost earnings incurred shall be documented and a record ".
 

thereof shall be maintained by the. candidate or the can­


didate's political committee_ The committee shall include
 

a copy of such record when its expenditure for such re­


imbursement is reported pUJ.$1]2nt to RC\V 42.17.090;
 

(3) Transfer the surplus tocne or more candidates or 

to a political committee or party; 

(4) Donate the surplus to a charitable organization 

registered in accordance with chapter 19.09 RC\V; 

(5) Transmit the surplus to the state treasurer for deposi t in. the general fund; or 

(6) Hold the surplus in the campaign depository or 

depositories designated in accordance with RCW 42.17­

.050 for possible use in a future election campaign, for 

political activity, for community activity, or for 

nonreimbursed public office related expenses and report 

any such disposition in accordance with RC\V 42.17­

.090: Provided, That if the candidate subsequently announces or publicly files for office, information as 

appropria te is reported to the commission in accordance 

with RC\V 42.17.040 through 42.17.090. If a subsequent 

office is not sought the surplus held shall be disposed of 

in accordance with the requirements of this section. 

[1982 c 147 § 8; 1977 exs. c 336 § 3.] 

the state of \Vashington to whom an expenditure 'was 

made by the n6nreporting ~ommittee on behalf of a 

candidate or political committee in the aggregate 

amount of twenty-five dollars or more, the amount, 

date, and purpose of such expenditure,: and the .total sum 

of such expenditures; (ix) such other mformatlOn as the 

Sunset Act application: See note following RCW 42.17.350.
 

Seferabilit"'-1977 ex.s. c 336: See note following RCW
 

42.17.040. 

RC\V 42.17.100 Special reports--'Independent C)·

campaign expenditures--Contributions to political \ .......
 

leh. 4l.17 RCW-p 81	 (1983 Laws) 
Disclosure	 42.17.105 

committees. (I) (a) For 'the purposes of this subsection, 

(1) the term nindependent campaign expenditure n 

\.	 means any expenditure which is made in support of or in 

opposition to ~ny candida te or ballot proposition and is 

not otherwise required to be reported pursuant to RC\V • 42.] 7.060, 42.17.065, 42.17.080, or 42.17.090.

(b) \Vithin five days after the date of making an independent campaign expenditure which by itself or when 

added to all other such independent campaign 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 

campaign expenditure for which no reasonable estimate 

of monetary value is practicable, whichever occurs first, 

the person who made such independent campaign expenditure shall file with the commission and the county 

auditor of the county of residence for the candidate ~upported or opposed by the independent campaign ~xpenditure (or in the case of an expenditure made in support 

of or in opposition to a local ballot proposition, the 

county of residence for the person making the expenditure) an initi'al report of all independent campaign expenditures made during such campaign prior to and 

including such date. 

(c) At the following intervals each person who. is required to file an initial report pursuant to subsection 

(1 )(b) of this section shall file with the commission and 

the county auditor of the county of residence fOf the 

candidate supported or opposed by the independent 

campaign expenditure (or in the case of an expenditure 

made in support of or in oppositiop to a ballot proposition, the county of residence for the person making the 

. expenditure)	 a further report of the independent campaign expenditures made since the date of the last 

report: , 

(i) On the twenty-first day preceding the primary and 

the seventh day preceding the date on which the election 

is held; and 

(ii) \Vithin twenty-one days after the date of the 

election; and 

(iii) On the tenth day of each month in which no 

other reports are required to be fiied pursuant to this 

subsection (1): Provided, That such further reports required by this subsection (J Hc) shall only be filed if the 

reporting person has made an independent campaign ex­

.penditure s.ince the date of the last previous report filed. 

The report filed pursuant to paragraph (ii) of. this 

subsection (J )(c) shull be the final report. and upon 

submitting such final report the duties of the reponing 

person shall cease, und there shall be no obligation ,to 

make.any further reports. 

, (d) All reports filed pursuant to this subsection (l). 

shall be certified as correct by the reporting person. 

(e) Each report required by subsections (1 )(b) and 

(I )(c)' of this subsection (1) shall disclose for the period 

beginning at the end of the period for the last pre~'ious

report filed or, in the case of an initial report, beginning 

• 

3t the time of the first independent campaign expendi· 

ture, and ending not more than five days prior to the 

date the report is due: 

(i) The name and address of the person filing the 

report; 

(ii) The name and address of each person to whom an 

independent campaign expenditure was made in the aggregate amount of twenty-five dollars or more, and the 

amount, date, and purpose. of each such expenditure: 

Prol'ided,· That if no reasonable estimate of the monetary value of a particular independent campaign expenditure is practicable~ it shall be sufficient to report 

insteud 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; 

(iii) The total sum of an independent campaign expenditures made during the campaign to date; and 

(iv) Such other information as shall be required by 

the commission by regulation in conformance with the 

policies and purposes of this chapter. 

(2) (a) Any person who contributes in the aggregate 

amount of one hundred doHars or more during the preceding twelve-month period to any political committee 

not domiciled in the state of Washington or not otherwise required to rcport under this chapter, if the person 

reasonably expects such political committee to make 

contributions in respect to any election covered by this 

chapter, shall file with the commission a report. signed 

by the contributor disclosing the CDntributor's name and 

address, the date, nature, purpose.. amount, and recipient 

c.:- such contribution. and any instructions given as to the 

me or disbursement of such contribm.ion. 

(b) The. initial report shall be filed with the commission within five days after the date on which the aggre-' 

gate contribution amount of one hundred dollars or more 

is reached, and each subsequent Teport shall be. filed 

within five days after each subsequent contribution is 

made to the same such political committee. [1982 c 147 

§ 9; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c ]]2 § 4~ 1973 c 1 § 10 (Initiative Measure No. 276~ approved November 7, 1972).] 

Sunset Act application: See note foIlO'li"ing Rev.' 42.17.350. 

RC\V 42.17.105 Special reports---Late contributions O\'er fhe hundred dollars. (1) Campaign treasurers 

shall prepare and deliver to the commission a special report regarding any contribution ~:bich:

(a) Exceeds five hundred dollars; 

(b) Is from a single person or entity; 

(c) Is received before an election; and 

(d) Is received after the. period covered by t he last repon required by RC\\' 42.17.080 and 42.17.090 to be 

filed before tha t election. 

(2) Any political committee making a contribution 

\\'.hich exceeds five hundred dollars shall also prepare 

and deliver to the commission the special report if the 

contribution is made before an election and after the period covered by the last report required by RCW 42.17­

.080 and 42.17.090 to be filed before that election. 

(3) Except as provided in s1,lbsection (4), the special 

report required by this section shall be delivered in written form, including but not limited to mailgram.. teiegram, or night letter. The special report required by 

subsection (1) shall be delivered to the commission 

(1983 Laws)	 ICb. ~2.17 RC\\'-;> 9] 
42.17.105	 - Djs~losure

within twenty-four hours of 'the" time, or on the first 

'-working day after, the contribution is received by the 

candidate or campaign treasurer. The special report required by subsection (2) shall be delivered to the commission within twenty-four hours of the time, or on the 

first working day after, the contribution is made. 

(4) The special report may be transmitted orally by 

telephone to the commission to satisfy the delivery period required by subsection (3) if the written form of the 

report is also mailed to the commission and postmarked 

within the delivery period established in subsection (3). 

(5) The special report shall inClude at least: 

(a) The amount of the coritribution; 

(b) The date of receipt; 

(c) The name and address of the donor; 

(d) The name and address of the recipient; and 

. (e) Any other information the commission may by 

rule require. 

(6) Contributions reported under this section shall 

also be reported' as required .by other provisions of this 

chapter. [1983 c 176 $ 1.] 

RC'\' 42.17.110 Commercial advertisers--Docu-· 

ments and books of account to be open for public inspection-Delh'ery of copies to commission upon request. 

(1) Each commercial advertiser who has accepted or 

. provided political advertising during	 the election campaign shall maintain open for public inspection during 

the campaign and for a period of no .less than three 

years after the date of the applicable election, during 

normal business hours, documents and books of account 

which ·shall specify: 

(a) The names a,nd addresses of persons from whom it 

accepted political advertising; 

(b) The exact nature and extent of the. advertising 

services rendered; and 

(c) The consideration and the manner of paying that 

consideration for such services. 

(2) Each commercial advertiser which must comply 

with subsection (1) of this section shall deliver to the' 

commission, upon its request, copies of such information 

as must be maintained open for pu blic inspection pursu- . 

ant to subsection (1) of this section. [1975-'76 2nd ex.s. 

c 112 § 5; 1973 c 1 § 11 (Initiative Measure No. 276, 

• approved Novemb.er 7, 1972).] 

Sunset Act application: See note following RCW 42.17.350. 

RC\\' 42.17.120 Identification of contributions and 

communications. No contribution shafl be made and no 

expenditure sryalJ be incurred, 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 contribution or 

in any other manner so as to effect concealment. [1975 

1st ·ex.s. c 294 § 8; 1973 c 1 § 12 (Initiative Measure 

No. 276, approved November 7, 1972).] 

Sunset Act application: See note fo~lowing RCW 42.17 .350. 

RC\\' 42.17.125 Candidate's personal use of contributions--\\'hen permitted. Contributions received and 

leh. 41.17 RCW-p 10) 

reported in accordance with RCW 4.2.17.060 through. 

42.17.090 may only be transferred to a. candidate's per· 

sonal account or expended for :l candidate's personal use 

under the following circumstances: . . 

(1) ReimburseJTlent for or loans to cover lost earnings 

incurred as a result of campaigning. Such lost earnings 

shall be verifiable as unpaid salary, or; when the candi· 

date is not salaried, as an amount not to exceed income 

received by the candidate for services rendered during an 

appropriate, corresponding time period". All lost earnings 

incurred shall be documented and a record thereof shall 

be maintained by the candidate or the candidate's political committee. The committee shall include a copy of 

such record when its expenditure fOT such reimbursement is reported pursuant to RCW 42.17.090. 

(2) Reimbursement for direct out-of-pocket election 

campaign and posteiection C2JIlpaign re.iated expenses 

made by the candidate. To receive reimbursement from 

his political committee, the cmdidate shall provide the 

committee with written documentation as to the amount, 

date, and description of each expense and the committee 

shall include a copy of such information when its expenditure for such reimbursement is reported pursuant to 

RCW 42.17.090. 

. (3) Repayment of loans made by the candidate to political committees, which repa)"'IDent sbaJ] be reported 

pursuant to RCW 42.17.090. [1977 ex.s. c 336 § 6.] 

Sunset AN application: See notef~ing RCW42..l7.350. 

Se\'erabil?i)-19i7 n.s. c 33(c See note following RCW 

42.17.040. 

RCW 42.17.130 Forbids use of public office or 

agency facilities in campaigns.. No elective official nor 

any employee of his office nar 4:my person appointed to 

or employed by any public office' or ag.ency may use or 

authorize the use of any of the facilities of a public office or agency, directly or inc:firectly~ fOT 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 public office or agency include. 

but are not limited to, use of stationery.. postage. rna· 

chines, and equipment, use of employees of the office or 

agency during working hours.. vehides.. office space, 

publications of the office or agency, and clientele lists of 

persons served by the office or agency:· Provjded~ That 

the foregoing provisions of this section shall not apply to 

the following activities: 

(l) Action taken at an open public meeting by members of an elected legislative body to express a collective 

decision, or to actually vote upon a motion, proposal, 

resolution. order, or ordinance... or to support or oppose a 

ballot proposition so long as (3) any required notice of 

the meeting includes the title 2nd number of the ballot 

proposition, and (b) membe.rs of the legislative body 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 \\'hich are part of the normal and regu· 

lar conduct of the office or agency. [1979 ex.S. c 265 § 

(1983 Laws) 
•••• 

Disclosure 42.17.160 

• 2; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 112 § 6; 1973 c 1 § 13 (Initiative respective payments or contributions made by each such 

Measure No. 276, approved November 7, 1972).] person. 

• LOBBYIST REPORTING 

RC\\' 42.]7.]50 Registration of lobbyists. (1) Before doing any lobbying, or within thirty days after being employed as a· lobbyist,. whic.hever occurs .fi~st, a 

lobbyist shall register by filIng ~'lth the comI?lsslon a 

lobbyist registration statement, In such detaIl as the 

commission shall prescribe, showing: . 

(a) His name, permanent business addre:s, 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 his employment; , 

(d) His compensation for lobbying; how much he I~ to. 

be paid for expenses, and wha.t expenses a!e .to be reImbursed:" and a full and partlcular descnptlon 'of any 

aQree~ent arrangement, or understanding according to 

Vr~hich his ~ompensation; or any portion thereof, is o,r will 

be contingent upon the success of any attempt to mflu· 

ence legislation; . 

(e) \Vhetherthe person from whom he receive~ said 

compensation employs him solely as .a 10bb?'Jst or 

whether he is a regular employee performmg servIces for 

his employer which include but are not limited to the 

influencing of legislation; , . . 

(f) The general subject or subjects of hIS legIslatIve 

interest; 

(g) A ~ritten authorization from each of the lobbyist's employers confirming such employment; 

(h) The name and address of the person who will have 

custody of the accounts, bills, receipts, b~oks, papers, 

and documents required to be kept under ~hlS ~hapte:;

(i) If the lobbyist's employer is an entIty (m~lu?Jng,

but not limited to, business and trade assoclatJO~s)

whose members include, or whieh as a representatIve 

entitv' 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 co~sidera tion 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 consjderation exceeding five hundred 

dollars to such entit v during the current year. 

'. 

(2) Any lobbyist" who receives or is to ~eceiv~ compensation from more than one pers?n for hIS servIces. as 

a lobbvist shall file a separa te notIce of representatIon 

with r~spect to each such person; except that where a 

lobbyist whose fee for acting. as ~uc~ in r~spect to t~e

same legislation or type of legIslation IS, or IS to be, paId 

or contributed to by more than one person then .such 

lobbyist may file a single statement, in whi~h he shalJ 

detail the name, busin~ss address and occupatIon of each 

person so paying or contributing, and the a.mount of the 

(3) \Vhenever a change, modification, or termination 

of the lobbyist's employment occurs, the lobbyist shall, 

within one week of such change, modification or termination, furnish fun information regarding the same by 

filing with the commission an amended registration 

statement. 

(4) Each lobbyist who has registered shaH file a new 

registration statemen~ revised as appropriate, on the 

second Monday in January of each odd-numbered year, 

and failure to do so shall terminate his registration. 

[1982 c 147 § 10; 1973 c l' § 15- (Initiative Measure No. 

276, approved November 7, 1972).] 

Sunset Act application: Sec note following RCW 42.17.350. 

RC\\' 42.17.155 Photograph snd information-­

BookIet--Publication-Lobbyists, booklet revolving 

fund. (I) Each lobbyist shall at the time he registers 

submit to the commission a recent. photograph of himself 

of a size and format as determined by rule of the commission, together with the name of the lobbyist's employer, the length of his employment as a lobbyist before 

the legislature, a brief bi'ograpnical description, and any 

other information he may wish to submit not to exceed 

fifty words in length; such photograph and information 

to be published at least annuallJ" in a booklet form by 

the commission for distribution to legislators and the 

Dublie. 

'. (2) There is established a fund to be known as the 

"lcbbvists' booklet Te\lotving fund'" which shall consist of 

all re~eipts from s21es of the booklets described in subsection (1) of this section. This fund shall be used for 

expenses of production and' sale of such booklets and for 

no other purpose. [l9S2 c 147 § 11~ 1975 1st ex.s. c 294 

§ 21.] 

Sunset Act application: See note following RCW 42.17.350. 

RC\V 42.17.160 Exemption from registration. The 

following persons and activities shall be exempt from 

registr'3tion and reponing under RC\V 42.17.150. 42­

.17.170, and 42.17.200: 

. <. I) Persons who limit their lobbying activities' to appearing before public sessi'ons of committees of the legislature, or public hearings. of state agencies; 

(2) News or feature reporting activities and editorial 

comment by working members of the press, radio, or 

television and the publication or dissemination thereof 

by a newspaper, book publisher~ regularly published periodical, radio station. or television station; 

(3) Persons who lobby without compensation or other 

ccnsideration for acting as· a lobbyist: PrO'.'ided, Such 

person makes no expenditure for or on behalf of any 

member of the legislature or elected official or public 

officer or employee of the state of Washington in connection with such lobbying. The exemption contained in 

this subsection is intended to permit and encourage citizens of this state to lobby any legislator. public official, 

or sta te agency without incurring any registration or reponing obligation provided they do not exceed the limits 

leb. 42.17 RCW-p IlJ 
42.17.160	 - DisClosure 

stated above. Any person exempt under this subsection 

'.(3) may at his option register and report under this 

chapter; 

(4) Persons who restrict their lobbying activities to no 

more than four days or parts thereof during any threemonth period and whose total expenditures during such 

three-month period for or on behalf of anyone or more 

members of the legislature or state elected officials or 

public officers or employees of the state of Washington 

in connection with such lobbying do not exceed twentyfive [dollars}: Pro~,jded, That the commission shall pro~

mulgate regulations to require disclosure by persons exempt under this subsection or their employers or entities 

which sponsor or coordinate the lobbying activities of 

such persons if it determines that such regulations are 

necessary to prevent frustration of the purposes of this 

chapter. Any person exempt under this subsection (4) 

may at his option register and report under this chapter; 

.(5) The governor;	 . 

(6) The lieutenant governor; 

(7) Except as provided by RC\V 42.17.) 90(1), members of the legislature; . . 

(8) Except as provided by RCW 42.17.190(l), persons employed by the legislature for the purpose of aiding in the preparation or enactment of legislation or the 

performance of legislative duties;. 

(9) Elected officials, and officers and employees of 

any agency reporting under RC\V 42.17.190(4) as now 

or hereafter amended. [1982 c 147 § ·12; 1977 ex.s. c 

3]3§ 4; ]975 1st ex.s. c 294 § 9; 1973 c 1 § 16 (Initiative Measure No. 276, approved ;Novembe'r 7, 1972).] 

Sunset Act application: See note following RCW 42. 17.350. 

Effectiye date--Seyerabilirv--1977 ex.s. c 313: See notes following RCW 42.17.020.' . 

RC\V 42.17.170 Reporting by lobbyists. (1) Any 

'lobbyist registered under RC\V 42.17.150 and any person who lobbies shall file with the commission periodic 

.reports of his activities signed by the lobbyist. The reports shall be .made in the form and manner prescribed 

by the commission. They shall be due monthly and shall 

be filed within fifteen days 'after the last day of the calendar month covered by the report. 

(2) Each such monthly periodic report shall contain: 

•(a) The totals of all expenditures made or incurred by 

such lobbyist or on behalf of such lobbyist by the lobbyist's employer during the period covered by the report, 

. which totals shall be segregated according to financial 

category, includi.ng compensation; food and refreshments; living accommodations; advertising; travel; con­

-trib'utions; and other expenses or services. Each 

'individual expenditure of more than twenty-five dollars 

for entertainment shall be identified by date, place, 

amount, and the names of all persons in the group partaking in or of such entertainment including any portion 

thereof, attributa ble to the lobbyist's participation 

therein but without allocating any 'portion of such expenditure to individual participants. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, lobbyists are not required to report the following: 

ICb. 42.17 RCW-p 121 

(i) Unreimbursed personal living and travel expenses 

not incurred directly for lobbying; , 

(ii) Any expenses incurred for his or her own living 

accommoda tions; 

(iii) Any expenses incurred for his or her own travel
 

to and from hearings of the legislature;
 

(iv) Any expenses incurred for telephone, and any office expenses, including rent and salaries and wages paid 

for staff and secretarial assistance. 

(b) In the case of a lobbyist employed by more than
 

one employer, the proportionate amount of such expend­


itures in each category incurred on behalf of each of his
 

employers.
 

(c) An itemized listing of each such expenditure in the 

nature of a contribution of money or of tangible or intangible personal property to any candidate, elected official, or officer or employee of any agency, or any 

political committee supporting or opposing any ballot 

proposition, or for or on behalf of any candidate, elected 

official, or officer or employee of any agency, OT' any 

political committee supporting or opposing any ballot 

proposition. AJI contributions made to~ or for the benefit 

of, any candidate, elected officia.l, or officer or employee 

of any agency, or any political committee supporting or 

opposing any ballot proposition shan be identified by 

date, amount, and the name of the candidate, eJected . 

official, or officer or employee of any agency, or any 

political committee supporting or opposing any ballot 

propositi0r. receiving, or to be benefited by each such 

contribution. 

(d) The subject matter of proposed legislation or other 

legislative activity or rule-making under chapter 34.04 

RC\\' and chapter 28B.19 RC\\' (the state administra­

.tive	 procedure acts) and the state agency considering the 

same, which the lobbyist has been engaged in supporting 

or opposing during the reporting period. [1982 c 147 § 

13; 1977 ex.s. c 313 § 5; ]9751stex.s_c294 § 10; 1973 

c 1 § ] 7 (Initiative ~feasure No. 276, approved 

November 7, 1972).) 

Sunset Act application: See note: following RCW 42.17.350. 

Effecti\'e date--Se\'erability--1977 ex.$. C 313: See notes following RCW 42.17.020. . 

RC\\' 42.1i.180 Reports b~' emplo~'ers of registered 

lobbyists. Every employer of a lobbyist registered under 

this chapter during the preceding calendar year shall file 

with the commission on or before March 31 st of each 

year a statement disclosing for the preceding calendar 

'year the following information: 

( 1) The name of each state elected official and the 

name of. each candidate for state office who was eJected 

to such office and any member of the immediate family 

of such persons to whom such employer has paid any 

compensation in the amount of five hundred dollars or 

more during the preceding calend~r year for personal 

employment or professional services~ including professional services rendered by a corporation, partnership~

joint' venture, association, union, or other entity in which 

such person holds any office~ directorship, or any general 

(1983 Laws) 
•• 

Disclosure 42.17.190 

• partnership interest, or an ownership interest of ten per­ channels, requests for legislative action or appropriations 

cent or more, the value of such compensation in accord-· which are deemed necessary for the efficient conduct of 

• 

ance with the reponing provisions set out in RC\V 

42.17.240(2), as now or hereafter amended, and the 

consideration given or performed in exchange for such 

compensation. 

(2) The name of each state elected official, successful 

candidate for state office or members of his immediate 

family· to whom the lobbyist employer made expenditures, directly or indirectly, either through a lobbyist or 

otherwise, the amount of such expenditures and the purpose for such expenditures: Provided, That for the pur­

.poses of this subsection, the term expenditure shall not 

include any expenditure made by the employer in the 

ordinary course of business if such expenditure is not 

made for the purpose of influencing, honoring, or be·nefitin!! such elected official, successful candidate or member 'Of his immediate family, as an elected official or 

candidate. 

(3) The total expenditures made by the employer for 

lobbying purposes, whether through or on behalf of a 

registered lobpyist oI-otherwise. 

(4) All contributions made to a candidate for state 

office, to a political committee supporting or opposing a 

candidate for state office, or to a political committee 

supporting or opposing a state-wide ballot proposition. 

Such contributions shall be identified ·by the name and 

the. address of the recipient and the aggregate amount 

contributed to each such recipient. 

(5) The name and address ofeach registered lobbyist 

employed by such employer. 

(6) Such other information as the commission shall by 

rule prescribe. [19751st ex.s. c 294 § II; 1973 c 1 § 18 :.• .(Initiative \1easure No·. 276, approved November 7, 

1972).J 

Sunset Act application: See note following RCW ~2.) 7.350. 

RC\\' 42.17.190 Legislath:e acti"ities of state agencies and other units of gol'ernment. (I) Every legislator 

and every committee of the legislature shall file with the 

commission quarterly reports listing th~ names, ad· 

dresse.s,. and salaries of all persons employed by the person or committee making the filing for the purpose of 

aiding in the preparation or enactment of legislation or 

the performance of legislative duties of such legislator or 

committee during the preceding quarter. The reports 

shall be made in the form and the manner prescribed by 

the commission and shall be filed between the first and 

tenth days of each calendar quarter: Provided, That the 

information required by this su·bsection may be supplieO. 

insofar as i.t is available, by the chief clerk of the house 

of representatives or by the secretary of the senate on a 

fo·rm prepared by the commission. 

(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: 

Provided. 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 communi· 

eating to the legislature, through the pr~per official 

(1983 Laws) 

the public business or actually made in the proper performance of their official duties: Provided further, That 

this subsection does no~ apply to the legislative branch. 

(3) Any agency, not otherwise expressly authorized by 

law, may expend public funds for lobbying, but such 

lobbying activity shaU 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: Provided. That 

public funds may not be expended as a direct or indirect 

gift or campaign cODuibution to any elected official or 

officer or employee of .any agency. For the purposes of 

this subsection, the tenn "gift" means a voluntary transfer of any thing of v2Jue 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: Provided furtber, That this section does not 

permit the printing of a state publication which has been 

otherwise prohibited by 1aw. 

(4) Each state agency~ county~ city, town. municipal 

corporation, quasi-municipal corporation, or special 

purpose district which expends public funds for lobbying 

shall file with the commission., except as exempted by 

scbsection (4)(d) of this section., quarterly statements 

p;t..widing the following information for the quarter just 

completed: 

(a) The name of the agency ruing the statement~.

(b) The name, title., and job description and salary of 

e3ch elected official, officer, or employee who lobbied, a 

general description of the nature of the lobbying;" and 

the proponiona te 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 publication~ the principal purpose of which is 

to influence legislation; 

(d) For purposes of subsection (4) of this section the 

term n 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 b)' the office of financial management to the legislature for appropriations other than 

its own agency budge! requests; 

(ii) Recommendations or reports to the legislature in 

response to a legislati"'e request expressly requesting or 

directing a specific study, recommendation. or report by 

an agency on a partjcn12.r subject; 

-(iii) Official report.." including recommendations submitted to the legisJ:uuTc 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 

correspond ence; 

ICh. 42.17 Rc\\'-p 13} 
42.17.190	 Disclosure 

(B) In-person lobbying on behalf of an agency of no 

more than four days or parts thereof during any threemonth 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: 

Provided, That the total expenditures of nonpublic funds 

made in conne.ction with such lobbying for or on behalf 

of anyone or more members of the legislature or state 

elected officials or public officers or employees of the 

state of \Vashington do not exceed fifteen dollars for any 

three-month period: Provided further, That the exemption under this subsection is'in addition to the exemption 

provided in (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. 

·(5) In lieu of reporting under subsection (4) of this 

seclion any county, city, town, municipal corporation,' 

qljasi 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 

repona ble under subsection (4) 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 42.17.150 and 42.17.170. Each such 

local agency shall report as a lobbyist employer pursuant 

to RC\V 42.17.180. 

.(6) 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. . 

(7) 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 which. relate only indirectly or incidentally to 

lobbying or which are equally attributable to or inseparable from non lobbying activities of the agency. 

The public disclosure commission may adopt regula­

, tion's clarifying and implementing this legislative interpretation and policy. [1979 ex.s. c 265 § 1; 1977 ex.s. c 

3]3 § 6; 19751st ex.s. c 294 § 12; 1973 c I § 19 (lni­

. tiative Measure No. 276, approved November 7, 1972).) 

Sunset Act application: See note following RCW 42.17.350. 

, Effecti~e date--Se\'erabilitv--1977 ex.s. c 313: See notes fo1­

lowin~ RCW 42.17.020. . 

RC\V 42.17.200 Grass roots lobbying campaigns. ' 

(1) Any person who has made expenditures, not reported 

under other sections of this. chapter, exceeding five hundred dollars in the aggregate within. any three' month 

ICh. 42.17 RCW-p J41 

period or exceeding two hundred doUars in the aggregate
 

within anyone month period in presenting a program
 

addressed to the pu blic. a substantial portion of which is
 

intended, designed, or calculated primarily to innuence
 

legislation shall be required to register and report, as
 

provided in subsection (2), as a sponsor of a grass roots
 

lobbying campaign.
 

(2) Within thirty days after becoming a sponsor of a
 

grass roots lobbying campaign, the sponsor shall register
 

by filing with the commission a registration statement,
 

in such detail as the commission shall prescribe,
 

showing:
 

(a) The sponsor's, name,. address, and business or oc­


cupation. and, if the sponsor is not an individual, the
 

names, addresses and titles of the controlling persons re­


sponsible for managing the sponsor's affairs.
 

(b) The names, addresses.. and business or occupation
 

of all persons organizing and managing the campaign, or
 

hired to assist the campai~ including any public rela­


tions or advertising firms participating in the campaign,
 

and the terms of compensation for aU such persons.
 

(c) The names· and addresses of an persons contribut­


ing to the campaign, and the amount contributed by
 

each contributor.
 

(d) The purpose of the campaign, including the spe­


cific legislation, rules, rates, standards or proposals
 

which are the subject matter of the campaign.
 

(e) The totals of all expenditures made or incurred to
 

date or;. behalf of the campaign, which totals shall be
 

segregated according to financial category, including but
 

not limited to the fol1owi~g: advertising, segregated by
 cy media, and in the case of large expenditures (as provided
 

by rule of the commission)" by outle~ contributions; en­


tertainment, including food 2nd refreshments; office ex­


penses including rent and the sabiries and wages paid for
 

staff and secretarial assistance, or the proportionate
 

amount thereof paid or inCDlTed' for lobbying campaign
 

activities; consultants; and printing and mailing
 

expenses.
 

(3) Every sponsor' who bas regis.tered under this sec­


tion shall, file monthly reports with the commission~
 

which shall be filed by the tenth day of the month for
 

the activity during the preceding month. The reports
 

shall update the information contained in the sponsor's
 

registration statement and in prior reports and shall
 

show contributions received and totals of expenditures
 

made during the month, in the same manner as provided
 

for in the registration statement.
 

(4) When the campaign has been terminated, the 

. sponsor shall file a notice	 of termination with the final 

monthly report, which notice shall state the totals of all 

contributions and expendituTes made on behalf of the 

campaign, in the same manner as provided for in the 

registration statement. [1973 c 1 § 20 (lnitiative Measure No. 276, approved November 7, 1972).] 

Sunset Act application: See note following RCW 42.17.350. 

RC\\' 42.17.210 Employment of legislators, attaches, or state employees-Statement, contents and filing. If any person registered or required to be registered (~)'.

"

(1983 Laws) 
Disclosure 42.17.240 

. as a lobbyist under this chapter employs. or if any em­ written consent thereto after fuJI disclosure to such employer of any person registered or required to be regis­

". tered as a lobbyist under this chapter, employs any 

member of the legislature, or any member of any state 

board or commission, OJ any employee of the legislature, • or any full time state employee, if such new employee

shall remain in the partial employ of the sta te or any 

agency thereof, then the new employer shall file a statement under oath with the commission setting out the 

nature of the employment, the name of the person to be 

paid thereunder, and the amount of payor consideration 

to be paid thereunder. The statement shall be filed 

within fifteen days after ·the commencement of such employment. [1973 c l' § 21 (Initiative Measure No. 276, 

approved November 7, 1972).] 

Sunset Act application: See nOle following RCW 42.17.350. 

RC\\' 42.17.220 Employment of unregistered persons. It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person 

to employ for payor any consideration, or payor agree 

to pay any consideration to, a person to lobby whc· is not 

registered under this chapter except upon condition that 

such person register as a lobbyist as provided by this 

chapter. and such person does in fact ·so register a~ soon 

as practicable. [1973 c 1 § 22 (lnitiat.ive Measure No. 

276, approved November 7, 1~72).]

Sunset Act application: See note following RCW 42.17.350. 

RC\\' 42.17.230 Duties of lobbyists. A person required to register as a lobbyist' under this .chapter shall 

also have the following obligations, the violation of 

. ~'.hich shall constitute cause for revocation of his registration. and may subject' such person, and such person's 

employer, if such employer ai.ds. abets, ratifies, or confir.ms any such act, to other civil liabilities, as provided 

by this chapter: 

( 1) .Such persons shall obtain and preserve all accounts, bills, receipts, books, papers. and documents 

necessary to substantiate the financial repons required 

to be made under this chapter for a period of at least 

five years from the date of the filing of the statement 

containing such items, which accounts, bills, receipts, 

books, papers, and documents shall be made available 

for inspection by the commission at any time: Provided, 

That if a lobbyist is required under the terms of his employment contract to turn any records over to his employer. responsibility for the preservation of such record~

under this subsection sh211 rest with such employer. 

(2) In addition, a person required to register as a lobbyist shall not: . . 

(a) ~ngage in any activity as a lobbyist before registering as such; 

(b) Knowingly deceive or attempt to deceive any leg~

isla tor as to any fact pertaining to any pending or proposed legislation; 

(c) Cause or innuence the introduction of any biP or 

. amendment thereto for the purpose of thereafter being 

.employed to secure its defeat; . 

(d) Knowingly represent an interest adverse to any of 

ployer of such. adverse interest; 

(e) Exercise any undue innuence, extortion, or unl~wful retaliation upon ~ny legislator by reason of such legislator's position with respect to, or his vote upon, any 

pending or proposed legislation. [1982 c 147 § 14; 1973 

c 1 § 23 (Initiative Measure No. 276, approved 

November 7,1972).] 

Sunset Act application: Sec note following RCW 42.17.350. 

REPORTING OF ELECfE·D OFFICIAlS 

FINANCIAL AFFAIRS 

RC\V 42.17.240 Elected and appointed officials re-o 

ports of financial affairs. (1) Every elected official (except president, vice president, and precinct 

committeemen), every chief executive state officer as' 

specified in RCW 43.17.020, as now or hereafter 

amended, the chief administrative law judge, the director of. financial managemen~ the director of perso.nnel, 

the dIrector of the planning and community affairs 

agency, the director of the state system of cOmmunit\', 

college.s, the executi:e director of the data processing 

authonty, the executIve secretary of the forest practice 

appeals board, the director of the gambling commission, 

the director of the higher education personnel board, the 

secretary of transportation., the ex.ecutive secretary of 

tt~t horse racing commission, the executive secretary of 

the human rights commission., the administrator of the 

interagency committee for' outdoor recreation, the director of parks and rccreatio~ the executive secretary of 

the board of prison terms and paroles, the administrator 

of the public disclosure commission, the director of retirement systems, the SOCrela.TY of the utilities and transportation commission, tbe executh'e secretary of the 

board of tax appeals, the secretary of the state finance 

committee, the president of each of the regional and 

state universities and the president of The Evergreen 

State College, each district and each campus president 

of each state community coHege, each professional staff 

member of the office of the governor, each professional 

staff member of the legislature, and each member of the 

state board for community college education, data pro-' 

cessing authority, forest practices board, forestprCiclices 

appeals board, gambling commission, game commission. 

higher education personnel board. transportation commission, horse racing commission, human rights commission, board of industrial insurance appeals, liquor 

control board, interagency committee for outdoor recreat:on, parks and recreation commission, personnel board. 

personnel appeals board" board of prison terms and paroles, public disdosu:;c commission, public employees' 

. retirement syslem bo:rrd. public pension commission. 

University of Washirrgnm board of regents, Washington 

State University board of regents, board of tax appeals, 

teachers' retirement system board of trustees, Central 

\\'ashington University board of trustees, Eastern 

·t his employers without first obtaining such employer's \Vashington University board of trustees, The Evergreen 

State College board of trustees, \\-'estern \Vashington 

(1983 Laws) (01. 42.J7 Rc\\'-p J5] 
42.17.240	 Disclosure 

University board of trustees, board of trus'tees of each 

communitv college, state housing finance commission, 

and the utilities and transportation commission, shall.after January Ist and before April 15th of each year for 

the preceding calendar year; and every candidate, and 

every person appointed to fill a vacancy in an elective 

office (except for the offices of president, vice president, 

and precinct committeeman) shall, within two weeks of 

becoming a candidate or being appointed 10 such elective 

office, and every person appointed to the appointive .positions enumerated herein shall, within two weeks of being so appointed, for the preceding twelve. months; file 

with the commission a written statement sworn· as to its 

truth and accuracy stating for himself and all members 

of his immediate family: Provided, That no individual 

shall be required to file more than once in any calendar 

year: Provided however, That a statement ·of a candidate 

or appointee filed during the period January 1st to April 

15th shall cover the period from January Ist of the preceding calendar year to the time of candidacy or appointment if the filing of such statement would relieve 

the individual of a prior obligation to file a statement 

covering the entire preceding calendar year: ' 

(a) Occupation, name of employer, and business address; and 

(b) Each bank or sa\;ings account or insurance policy 

in which any such person or persons' owned a direct financial interest which exceeded five thousand dollars at 

any time during such period; each other item of intangible personal propeity in which any such person or persons' owned a direct financial interest, the value of which 

exceeded five hundred dollars during such period; and 

the name, address, nature of en'tity, nature and highest 

value of each such direct financial jnterest durin-g the 

reporting period; and . 

(c) The name and address, of each creditor to whom 

the value of five hundred dollars or more was owed; the 

original amount of each debt to each such creditor; the 

amount of each debt owed to each creditor as of the date 

of filing; the terms of repayment of each such debt; and 

the security 'given, if any, for each such debt: Provided, 

That debts arising out of a. ~retail installment transaction as defined in chapter 63.14 RCW (Retail Installment Sales Act) need not be reported~ and 

.(d) Every publjc or private office, directorship and 

. position as trustee held; and 

(e) All persons for whom any legislation, or any rule, 

rate, or standard has been prepared. promoted, or op­

. posed	 for current or deferred compensation: Provided, 

That for the purposes of this subsection, "compensation 

shall not indude payments made to the person reporting 

by the governmental entity for which such person serves 

as an elected or appointed public officer or professional 

staff member for his service in office; the description of 

such actual or proposed legislation, rules, rates, or 

sta'ndards; and the amount of current or deferred compensation paid or promised to be paid; and 

(f) The name and address· of each governmental entity, corporation, partnership, joint venture, soleproprietorship, association, union, or ot.her business or 

commercial entity from' whom compensation has been 

lCh. 42.17 RCW-p J61 

received in any form of a total value of five hundred 

dollars or more; the value of such compensation; and the 

consideration given or perf.ormed in exchange for such 

compensation; and 

(g) The name of any corporation. partnership, joint 

venture, association, union, or other entity in which is 

held any office, directorship~ or any general partnership 

interest, or an ownership interest of ten percent or more; 

the name or title of that office, directorship, or partnership; the nature of ownership interest; and with respect 

to each such entity: (i) With respect to a governmental 

unit in which the official holds any office or position, if 

such entity has received compensation. in any form during the preceding twelve' months from such governmental unit, the value of such compensation and the 

consideration given or performed in e.xchange for such 

compensation; (ii) The nam.e of each governmental unit. 

corporation, partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship, association, union, or otber business or commercial 

entity from which such ent.ity bas received compensation 

in any form in the amount of two thousand five hundred 

dollars or more during the preceding twelve months and 

the consideration given or performed in exchange for 

such compensation: Provided,. That the term "compensation" for purposes of this subsection (l)(g)(ii) shall not 

include payment for water aDd other utility services at 

rates approved by the \Vashington state utilities and 

transportation commission or the legislative authority of 

the pub]~(" entity providing such servia:: Provided, further, That with respect to any bank or commercial lending institution in which is held any such office, 

directorship, partnership interest, or o'\\.'llership interest, 

it shall only be necessary to Teport either the name, address, and occupation of every director and officer of 

such bank or commercial lending institution and the average monthly balance of each account held during the 

preceding twelve months. by such bank or commercial 

lending institution from the governmental entity for 

which the individual is an official or candidate or professional staff member, or all interest paid by a borrower 

on loans from and all interest paid to a depositor by such 

bank or commercial' rending institution if such interest 

exceeds six hundred doUars; and 

(h) A list, including legal {)T other: sufficient descriptions as prescribed by the: mmmission.. of all real property in the 'state of Washington, the assessed valuation of 

which exceeds two thousand five hundred doBars in 

which any direct financiaJ iDterest was acquired during 

the preceding calendar year, and 3, statement of the 

amount and nature of the financial interest and of the 

consideration given in exc'n:ange for such interest; and 

(i) A -list, including legal or other sufficient descriptions as prescribed by the· commission, of all real property in the sta te of Washington, the assessed valuation of 

which exceeds two thousand five hundred dollars in 

which any direct financia:l interest was divested during 

the preceding calendar year, and a' statement of the 

amount and nature of the consideration received in exchange for such interest, and the name and address of 

the person furnishing such. considera-tion; and 

(1983 Laws) 
Disclosure 42..17.243 

.,

U) A list, including legal or other sufficient descrip-, RC\V 42.17.242 Concealing identity of source of 

tions as prescribed by the commission, of all 'real prop­

• 

erty in the state of \Vashington. the assessed valuation of 

which exceeds two thousand five hundred dollars in 

which a direct financial interest was held: Pro\,jded, 

That if a description of such property has been included 

in a report previously filed, such property may be listed, 

for pu~poses of this provision, by reference to such previously filed report; and 

(k) A list, including legal or other sufficient descriptions as prescribed by the commission, of all real property in the state of 'Washington, the assessed valuation of 

which exceeds five thousand dollars, in which a corporation, partnership. ~irm. enterprise, or other entity had a 

direct financial interest, in which corporation, partnership, firm or enterprise a ten percent or greater ownership interest was held; and 

(I) Such other information as the commission may 

deem necessary in order to properly carry out the purposes and policies of this chapter, as the commission 

shall by rule prescribe. 

't 

(2) \\'here·an amount is required to be reported under 

subsection (l), paragraphs (a) through (k) of this section, i~ shall be sufficient to com'ply' with such requirement to report whether the amount is less than one 

thousand dollars, at least one thousand dollars but less 

than five thousand dollars, at least five thousand dollars 

but less than ten thousand dollars, at least ten thousand 

dollars but less than twenty-five thousand dollars, or 

twentv-five thousand dollars or more. An amount of 

stock "'may be reported by number of shares instead of by 

market value. No provision of this subsection shall he 

, interpreted to prevent any person from filing more information or more detailed information than required. 

[1983 c 161 § 27: 1992 c 10 § 9. Prior: 198] c3] 1 § 20; 

1981 c 67 § ]5; ]979 ex.s. c 265 § 3; 1979 c 151 § 73; 

prior: 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 112 § 7; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 

104 § 1 (Ref. Bill No. 36); 1975 1st ex.s. c 294 § 13; 

1973 c ] § 24 (Initiative Measure No. 276, approved 

November 7, 1972).] 

Sunset Act application: See note following RCW 42.17.350. 

Se\'erabilit~-Effecli\'e dates-'-1983 c 161: See RCW 

43.180.903 and 43.180.904. 

Se\"erabili~'-1982 c 10: See note following RCW 6.12.100. 

Se\'erabilit~'-1981 c 311: Sec ReW 41.64.910. 

Efft<'tite dates--Se\"erability-'-1981 c 67: See notes following 

RCW 34.12.010. 

Cemetery district commissioners exempt from chapter: RCW68.16· 

.060.68.16.140. 

RCW 42.17.241 Local elected officials, time for filing st.atem~nts. Notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 

42.17.240. any local elected official whose term of office 

expires immediately after December 31 st shall file the 

written sworn statement required to be filed by that section for the year which ended on that December 31 S1. 

[] 979 ex.s. c 126 § 42.] 

'. Sunset Act application: See note following RCW 42.17.350. 

Purpose--1979 ex.s. c 126: See RCW 29.04.170( I). 

payment prohibited--Exception. No payment shall be 

made to any person required to repon under RCW 42­

.17.240 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 per.son 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 except that 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. [1977 

ex.s. c 336 § 4.] 

Sunset Act application: See note following RCW 42.17.350. 

S('\"erability--1977 e~. c 336: See note following RCW 

42.17.040. 

RC\\' 42.17.243 Public office fund--\\'hat constitutes, restrictions on use--Reporting of--Disposal 

of remaining funds. (I) EI~cted and appointed officials 

required to report under RCW 42.17.240, shall report 

for themselves and for members of their immediate 

family to the comD"..issjon any contributions received 

during the preceding calendar )'car for the officials' use 

in defraying nonreimbursed public office related ex· 

penses. Contributions reported under this section shall 

be referred to as a "public office fund tl and shall not be 

transferred to a political committee nor used to promote 

or oppose a candidate or ballot proposition, other than as 

pi ovided by subsection (3) (a) of this section. For the, 

purposes of this sec:ion contributions shall includereimbursemems from or pa~merllS h_, p:r~Q~S. 0!h.:~ !h->" t1:" 

state of Washington or any agency, for travel expenses. 

A report shall be filed during tile month of January of 

any year following a year in which such contributions 

were received for or eXpenditures made from a public 

office fund. The report shall include: 

(a) The name and address of each contributor; 

(b) A description of each contribution. including the 

date on which it was received 2.nd its amount or, if its 

dollar value is una.scertainabl~ an estimate of its fair 

market value: and 

(c) A description of each expenditure made from a 

public office fund, including the name and addrcss oi the 

recipicnt, the amount. and the date of cach such 

expenditure. 

(2) No report undeT subsection (1) of this section 

shall be required if: 

(~l) The receipt of the contribution has been reported 

pursuant to RC\V 42.17.065 (continuing political committee reports) or RC\V 42. I 7.090 (political committe~

reports); or 

, (b) The contribution is in the form of meals, refreshments, or entertainment given in connection with official 

appearances or occasions where public business was 

discussed. . 

(3) Any funds which remain in a public office fund 

after all permissible public office related expenses have 

been paid may only be disposed of in one or more of the 

following ways: ' 

(1983 Laws) (Ch. 42.17 Rc\\'-p 17] 
42.17.243	 -Disclosure 

(3) Returned to a contributor iIi an amount not to exceed	 that contributor's original contribution; or ­

. (b) Donated to a charitable organization registered in 

accordance with chapter 19.09 RC\V; or 

(c) Transferred to the state treasurer for deposit in 

the.general fund. [1977 ex.s. c 336 § 5.] 

Sunset Act application: See note following RCW 42.17.350. 

Severabilih'-o-1977 ex.s. c 336: See note following RCW 

42.17.040. • 

REPORTING BY PUBLIC TREASURERS 

RC\V 42.17.245 Public accounts of governmental 

entities held by financial institutions--Statements and 

reports--C~ntents--Filing. After January 1st and 

before April 15th of each calendar year, the state trea­

. surer, each county, public utility district, and port district treasurer, and each treasurer of an incorporated 

city. or town whose population exceeds one thousand 

shall file with the commission: 

(l) A statement under oath that no puplic. funds un~

der that treasurer's control were invested in any institution where the treasurer or. in the case of a .county. a 

me.mber. of the county finance committee, held during 

·the reporting period an office, directorship, partnership 

interest, or ownership interest; or 

(2) A report disclosing for the previous calendar year: 

(a) The name and address of each financial institution in 

which the treasurer or, in the case of a county, a member of ~he county finance committee. held during the reporting period an office, dir'ectorship, partnership 

interest, or ownership interest which. holds or has held 

duting the reporting period public accounts of the governmental entity for which th~ treasurer is responsible; 

(b) the aggregate sum of time and demand deposits held 

in' each such financial institution on December 31; and 

(c) the highest balance held at any time during such reporting period: Provided. That the state treasurer shall 

disclose the highest balance information only upon request under RC\V 42.17.250 through 42.17.330.. The 

statement or report required' by this section shall be filed 

either with the statement required under RC\V 42.17­

•.240 or .separately. [1983 c 213 § 1; 1981 c 102 § 1; 

1975-'76 2nd ex.s: c 112 § 10.] 

Sunset Act application: See note following RCW 42.17.350. 

PUBLIC RECORDS 

RC\\' 42.17.2~O Duty to publish procedures. (l) 

Each state agency shall separately state and currently 

. publish in the Washington Administrative Code and 

each local agency shall prominently display and make 

available for inspection and copying at the central office 

of such local agency, for guid~nce of the public: 

(a) Descriptions of its central and field organization 

and the established places at which, the employees from 

whom, and the methods whereby, the public may obtain 

(Ch. 42.17 RCW-p 181 

information, make submittals or requests. or obtain copies of agency decisions; . 

(b) Statements of the general course and method by 

which its operations are channeled and determined. including the nature and requirements of all formal and 

informal procedures available; 

(c) Rules of procedure; 

(d) Substantive rules of general applicability adopted 

as authorized by law. and statements of general policy or 

interpretations 'of general applicability formulated and 

adopted by the agency; and 

(e) Each amendment or revision to. or repeal of any of 

the foregoing. 

(2) Except to the extent that he has actual and timely 

notice of the terms thereof. a person may not in any 

manner be required to resort to, or be adversely affected 

by, a matter required to be published or displayed and 

not so published or displayed.. [1973 c I § 25 (Initiative 

Measure No. 276, approved November 7., 1972).] 

RC\\' 42.17.260 Documents and indexes to be made 

public. (1) Each agency. in 2.ccordance with published 

rules, shall make available fOT public inspection and 

copying all public records. To the extent required to 

prevent an unreasonable invasIDn of personal privacy, an 

agency shall delete identifying details when it makes 

availa.ble or publishes any public record; however, in 

each case, the justification fmr the deletion shall be explained fl.!lly in writing. 

(2) Each agency shall In2in1ain and make available 

for pubiic inspection and copying a current index pro­ (1 . viding identifying information as to the following records 

',- . issued. adopted, or promuJg~ted after January 1, 1973: 

(a) Final opinions, including concurring and dissenting opinions, as well as ord~ made in:' the adjudication 

of cases; 

(b) Those statements of policy and interpretations of 

policy, statute, and the Con&titution 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 go:als, and interim and final 

planning decisions; 

(e) Factual staff reports and studies~ factual consultant's reports and studies y 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 detenn.mes, 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. 

(3) An 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 

(1983 Laws) 
•• 

DisClosure	 42.17.310 

•
 

.". 

(b) Make availablc for public inspection and copying 

all indexes maintained for agency use. 

(4) 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. 

(5) This chapter shall not be construed as giving authority to any agency to give, sell or provide access to 

lists of individuals requested for commercial purposes, 

and agencies shall riot do so unless specifically authorized or directed by law: Provided, ho",:ever, That lists of 

applicants for professional licenses and of professional 

liccnsees shall be made available to those profcssional 

associations or educational organizations recogni7.cd 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 

chapler 34.04· RC\V. [1975 1st ex.s. c 294 § 14; 1973 c 

1 § 26 (Initiative Measure No. 27p, approved November 

7, ]972).] 

RC\\' 42.17.270 Facilities for copying--Availability of public records. Public records shall be available 

for inspection and copying, and agencies shall, upon request for identifia blc public records, (' m~~~ them 

promptly availa ble to any person. Agenc)' )a~l!ltles shall 

be made availa ble to any person for the copyIng of pu b­

'lie records except when and to the extent that this WOUld 

unreasonably disrupt the operations of the agency. 

Agencies shall honor requests. received by mail ~o: identifiable public records unless exempted by proVIsIOns of 

this ·chapter. []975 1st ex.s. c 294 § 15; 1973 c 1 § 27 

(Initiative Measure No. 276, approved November 7, 

1972).) 

RC\V 42.17.280 Times for inspection and copying. 

Pu blic' records shall be available for inspection and 

copying during the customary office hours of the agency: 

PrO\'ided, That if the agency does not have customary 

office hours of at least thirty hours per week, the public 

records shall be available from nine o'clock a.m. to noon 

jnd from one o'clock p.m. to four o'clock p.m. Monday 

through Friday. excluding legal holidays, unless the person making the request and the agency or its representative agree on a different time. [1973 c 1 § 28 

(Initiative. Measure No. 276,. approved November 7, 

1972).J 

RC\V 42.17.290 Protection of public records-­

Public access. Agencies shaH adopt and enforce reasonable rules and regulations, consonant with the intent of 

this chapter to provide fuJi public access to public records, to protect public records from damage or disorganization, and to prevent excessive interference with other 

essential functions of the agency. Such rules and regulalions shall provide for the fulles.t assistance to inquirers 

(1983 Laws) 

:lnd the most timely possible action on requests for information. Nothing in this section shall relieve agencies 

from honoring requests received by mail for copies of 

identifiable public records. (1975 1st ex.s. c 294 § 16; 

1973 c I § 29 (Initiative l\1easure No. 276, approved 

Novembe~ 7, 1972).J 

RC'V 42.17.295 Destruction of information relating 

to employee mi"sconductt.. Nothing in this chapter prevents an agency f1;\ID'ii:l destroying information relating to 

employee m~5cond~d. ~T alleged misconduct~ in accordance with RC\V 4.1 ~06.450~ to tne extent necessary to 

ensure fair::;·.'::!5 to the employee. [1982 c 208 § 13.J 

Se~'frabilify--1982 c 208: See RCW 42.40.900. 

RC\V 42.17.300 Charges for copying. No fee shall 

be cha rged for the inspection of public records. Agencies 

may impose a reasonabie charge for providing copies of 

public records and [0(' the use by any person of agency 

equipment to, copy public records.. which charges shall 

not exceed the amount necessary to reimburse the 

agency for its actual costs incident to such cop),jng. 

[1973 c l' § 30 (lniuative Measure No. 276.. approved 

November 7, 1972).} 

RCW 42.17.310 C~in pe!SODal and other records 

exempt. (I) -.tte foHawing. are exempt from· public inspection and cil~ing: . 

(a) PersorH:J information in an)7 files maintained for 

~:.\ldents in public schools~ patients or clients of public 

institutions or public bealth agencies, welfare recipients, 

prisoners. probationers~ ()r parolees. 

(b) Personai information in rIles maintained for employees, appointees, or elected officials of any public 

agenc\, to the extent that disclosure would violate; their 

righ t to privacy. 

(c) Information re.quiTed of aIl~? taxpayer in connection with the assessment or coHection of any tax if the 

disclosure of the information to crLher persons would violate the taxpayer's right to prixacy or would result in 

unfair competitive disadvantage 10 the taxpayer. 

(d) Specific inteHigence information and specific investig:;tive records compiled b~' investigati\'e~ law enforcement, and penology agencies, and state agencies 

vested with the responsibility to discipline members of 

any profession. the nondisclosure of which is essential to 

effective law enforcement or for the protection of :my 

person's right to pri\7J~"

(e) Information TC'o"caling the identity of persons who 

file complaints with investigative~ law enforcement.. or 

penology agencies, other than the public disclosure commission, if disclosure would endanger any person's life~

physical safety, or pTnperty: PrOl'ided, That if at the 

time the complaint is filed the complainant indicates a 

desire for disclosure OT nondisclosure, such desire shall 

. govern:	 PrOl'ided, further, That all complaints filed with 

the public disclosure oommission about any elected official or candidate for public office must be made in writing and signed by the CDmplainant under oath. 

ICb. 42.17 Rc\\'-p 19) 
42.17.310	 "" Disclosure 

(f) Test questions, scoring keys, and other exammation data used to administer a license, employment, or 

a"cademic examination. 

(g) Except as provided by chapter 8.26 RC\V, the 

contents of real estate appraisals, made for or by any 

agency relative to the acquisition or sale of property, 

until the project or prospective sale is abandoned or until 

such time as ali of the property has been acquired or the 

property to which the sale appraisal relates is sold, but 

in no event shall disclosure be denied for more than 

three years after the appraisal. " 

(h) Valuable formulae, designs, drawings, and research data obtained by any agency within five years of 

the request for disclosure when disclosure would produce 

private gain and public loss. 

(i) Preliminary drafts, noles, recommendations, and" 

intra-agency memorandums in which opinions are expressed or policies formulated or recommended except 

that a specific record shall not be exempt when publicly 

cit"ed by an agericy in connection with any agency action. 

(j) Records which. are relevant to a controversy t6 

which an agency is a party but which records would not 

be available to another puTty under the rules" of pretrial" 

discovery for causes pending in the superior courts. 

(k) Records, maps, or other information identifying 

the "location of archaeological sites in "order to avoid the 

""looting or depredation of such sites. 

(I) Any library record, the primaryp\irpose of which 

is to,maintain control of library materials, or to gain access to information, which discloses or could be used to 

. disclose the identity of a library user. 

(m) 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 'or (b) highway construction or improvement as required by RCW 47.28.070. 

(2) The exemptions of this section are inapplicable to 

the extent that information, the disclosure of which 

would violate personal privacy or vital governmental interests, can be "deleted fr"om the specific records sought. 

No exemption may be construed to permit the nondis­

" closure of statistical information not descriptive of any 

readily identifia ble person or persons. 

~3) lnspection or copying of any specific records ex­

"empt under the provisions of this section may be permitted if the .superior court in the county in which the 

record is maintained finds, after a hearing with notice 

"thereof to every person in interest	 and the agency, that 

the exemption of such records is clearly unnecessary to 

protecta.ny individual's right of privacy or any vital 

governmental function. 

(4) Agency responses refusing, in whole or in part, inspection of any public record shall include a statement of 

the specific exemption authorizing the withholding of 

the record (or part) and a brief explanation of how the 

exemption applies to the record withheld. [1983 c 133 § 

10; 1982 c 64 § 1; 1977 ex.s."c 3J4 § 13; 1975-'76 2nd 

ex.s. c 82 § 5; 1975 1st ex.s. c 294 § J7; 1973 c 1 § 31 

(Initiative Measure No. 276, approv.ed November 7, 

1972).] 

(Ch. 42.17 RCW-p 20J 

Exemptions from public inspection 

accounting records of special inquiryjudge: RCW 10.29.090. 

certain criminal records: ChapleT 10.91 ReW. 

certificate submitted by phy~ically or mentally disabled person 

seeking a driver's license: RCW 46.20.041. 

examination reports of the supen;sor of banking and supervisor of 

savings and loan associations: RCW 30.04.075, 31.12.325. 32­

.04.220.33.04.110. 

judicial qualifications commission, records of: RCW 2.64.110. 

liability reserves of local government joint self-insurance pool: 

RCW 48.62.110. 

medical disciplinary board. reports required to be filed with: 

RCW 18.72.265. 

organized crime 

advisory board files: RCW 10.29.030. 

inve.~tigative information: RCW 43A3.856. 

salary and fringe benefit survey inform.ation: RCW 28B.16.110, 

41.06.160.
 

sales reports of commercial fcrtili7~rs: RCW 1554.360.
 

RC\V 42.17.315 Certain records 6btained by colleges, universities, libraries. or 8tthi\'es exempt. Notwithstanding the provisions of RC\\l 42.17.260 through 

42.17.340, as now or hereafter amende<L no state college, university, library, or ai'Chive shall be required by 

chapter 42.17 RCW to make available for public inspection and copying any reconis or documents obtained 

by said college, university, library, or archive through or 

concerning any gift, grant, conveyance. bequest, or devise, the terms of which restrict or regulate public access 

to such records or documents: Provided. That this section shaJJ not apply to any public records as defined in 

RCW 4C~4.010. [1975 1st ex..s.. c 294 § 22.] 

RC\V 42.17.3:0 Prompt responses required. Responses to requests for public records shall be made 

promptly by agencies. Denials of requests must be accompanied by a written stateme~l of tlle specific reasons 

therefor. Agencies shall establish mechanisms for the 

most prompt possible review of decisions denying inspection, and such review shall be deemed completed at 

the end of the second business day" fonowing the denial 

of inspection and shall constitute fin~l agency action for 

the purposes of judicial review_ [1975 1st ex.s. c 294 § 

18; 1973 c 1 § 32 (Initiative Measure No. 276, approved 

November 7, 1972).J 

RC\\' 42.17.330 Court protection of public records. 

The examination of any specific public record may be 

enjoined if, upon motion and affidavit. the superior court" 

for the county in which the movant -resides or in which 

the record is maintained, finds that such examination 

would clearly not be in the, public interest and would 

substantially and irreparably damage any person, or 

would su.bsta ntially and irreparably damage vital governmental functions. [1975 1st ex.s. c 294 § 19; 1973 c 1 

§ 33 (Initiative Measure No. 276, approved November 

7, 1972).] 

RC\\' 42.17.340 Judicial relie", of agency actions. 

(1) Upon the motion of any person having been denied 

an opportunity to inspect or copy a public record by an 

agency, the superior court in the county in which a 

record is maintained may require the rcspon!\ible agency 

to show cause why il has refused to allow inspection or 

(1983 Laws) 
Disclosure 42.17.370 

\, copying of a specific. public record or class of records. manner provided in chapter 34.04 RC\V. Any member. 

The burden of proof shall be on the agency to esta blish . of the commission m3Y be removed by the governor, but 

• 

that refusal to permit public inspection and copying is "

required. 

(2) Judicial review of all agency actions taken or 

challenged under RC\V 42.17.250 through 42.17.320 

shall be de novo. Courts shall take into account the pol· 

icy of this chapter that free and open examination of 

public records is in the public interest, even though such 

examination may cause inconvenience or embarrassment 

to public officials or others. Courts may examine any 

record in camera in any proceeding brought under this 

.section. 

(3) Any person who prevails against an agency in any 

action in the courts seeking the right to inspect or copy 

any public record shall be awarded all costs, including 

reasonable attorney fees, incurred in connection with 

such legal action. in addition, it shall be within the discretion of the court to award such person an amou,nt not 

to exceed twenty-five dollars for each day that he was 

denied the right to inspect or copy said public record. 

[1975 1st ex:s. c 294 § 20; 1973 c ] § 34 (Initiative 

Measure No. 276. approved November 7, 1972).) 

AD1\1INISTRATION AND ENFORCE1\1ENT 

RC\V 42.17.350 Public disclosure commissionEstablished--Membership--:-Compensation, tra\'el 

expenses. There. is hereby established a ~public disclosure commission" which shall be composed' of five memo 

bers who shall be appointed by the governor, with the 

·consent of the senate. All appointees shall be persons of 

the highest, integrity and qualifications. No more than 

three members shall have a·n identification with the. 

same political party. The original members' shall be appointed within sixty days after January I, 1973. The 

term of each member shall be five years except that the 

original five members shall serve initial terms of one, 

two, three, four, and five years, respe:ctively, as designated by the governor. No member of the commission, 

during his tenure. shall (1) hold or campaign for elective 

office: (2) be an officer of any political party or political 

committee; (3) permit his name to be used. or make 

contributions. in support of or in opposition to any can­

'didate or proposition; (4) participate in any way in any 

election campaign; or (5) lobby or employ or assist a 

lobb\'ist: Provided. That a member or the staff of the 

com~ission may lobby to the limited extent permitted 

bv RC\V 42.17.190 on matters directly affecting this 

chapter. 'No member shall be eligible for appointment to 

more than one full lerm. A vacancy on the commission' 

shall be filled within thirty days of the vacancy by the 

governor. with the consent of the senate, and the appointee shall serve for the remaining term of his predecessor. A vacancy shall not impair the powers of. the 

remaining members to exercise all of the powers of the 

commission. Three members of the commission shall 

constitute a quorum. The commission shall elect its own 

chairman and adopt its own rules of procedure in the 

(19K) Laws) 

only upon grounds of neglect of duty or misconduct in
 

office.
 

Each member shan receive seventy-five dollars for 

each day or portion thereof spent in performance of his 

duties as a member of the commission, and in addition 

shall be reimbursed fOT travel expenses incurred while 

engaged in the business of the commission as provided in 

RC\V 43.03.050 and 43.43.060 as now or hereafter 

amended. The compensation provided pursuant to this 

section shall not be considered salary for purposes of the 

provisions of any retirement system created pursuant to 

the general laws of this state. [1982 c 147 § 15; 1975­

'76 2nd ex.s. c 112 § E; 1975-'76 2nd ex.S_ c 34 § 93; 

1975 1st ex.s. c 294 § 23; 1973 c 1 § 35 (Initiative 

Measure No. 276, approved November 7, 1972).] 

Reo"iser's note--Sunset Act application: The public disclosure
 

commission is subject to· fa'icw. termination. and possible extension
 

under chapter 43.131 RCW~ the Sunset Act. See RCW 43.J31.269.
 

RCW 42.17.010.42.17.030 through 42.17.125,42.)7.150 through 042­


.17.245. 42.17.350 through 42.l7.380, 042.17.395,042.17.397. 42.l7.405,
 

42.17.420, ~2. 17.430. and 42.l7.450 are scheduled for future repeal
 

under RCv..' 43.131.270. .
 

Effecth'e date--Se~erJlbilit)'--197~"76 2nd ex.S. c 34: See
 

notes following ReW 2.08.115.
 

RC\\' 42.17.360 Commission-Duties. The, com­


mission shall:
 

(1) Develop and provide forms for the reports and
 

Sl;:tements required to be made under this chapter:
 

(2) Prepare and publish a manual settirl!; Jorth recommended uniform methods of bovUc\;;ping and report- . 

ing for use by pers..::~ Iequired to make reports and ;. 

statements under thi's chapter; 

(3) Compile and maintain a current list of all. filed
 

reports and statements;
 

(4) Investigate whether properly,' completed statements
 

and reports have been fued within the times required by
 

this chapter;
 

(5) Upon complaint or upon its own motion. investi­


gate and report apparent violations of this chapler to the
 

appropriate law enforcement ')Ui.horities;
 

. (6) Prepare and publish an ~nnual report to the
 

governor as to the effectiveness of this chapter and its
 

enforcement by appropriate law enforcement authorities;
 

and
 

(7) Enforce this chapter according to the powers
 

granted it by law. [1973 c 1 § 36 (l nitiative Measure
 

No. 276. approved Kovember 7, 1972).]
 

Sunsel Acl applic8lion: s.x nole following RCW 42.17.350. 

RC\V 42.17.370 Commission--Additional powers.
 

The commission is empowered to:
 

(J) Adopt, promulgale, amend, and rescind suitable
 

administrative rules and regulations to carry out the po­


'Iicies and purposes of this chapter, which rules and regulations shall be p~omulgated pursuant to the provisions 

of chapter 34.04 RC\V~

(2) Prepare and publish such reports and technical
 

studies as in its judgment will tend to promote the pur­


poses of this chapter, induding reports and statistics
 

leb. 42.17 Rc\\'--p 21} 
42.17.370	 "Disdosure 

,concerning campaign financing, lobbying, financial inlerests of elected officials, and enforcement of this 

chapter; 

(3) Make from time to time, on its own motion, audits 

and ficld investigations; 

(4) Make public the time and datc of any formal 

hcaring set to detcrmine whethcr a violation has occurred, thc question or questions to be considered, and 

the results thereof; 

(5) Administer oaths and affirmations, issue subpoenas, and compel attendance, ta~e evidence and require 

the production of any books. papers, correspondence. 

memorandums. or other records which the commission 

deems relevant or material for the purpose of any investigation authorized under this chapter, or any other proceeding under this chapter; 

(6) Adopt and promulgate a code of fair campaign 

practices; 

(7) Relieve, by published regulation of general applicability, candidates or political committees of obligations 

to comply with the pr.ovisions of this chapter relating to 

election campaigns, if they hav~ not received contributions nor made expenditures in connection with any 

election campaign of more than one thousand dollars; 

.and	 . 

(8) Enact regulations prescribing reasonable require­

. ments for keeping accounts of and reporting	 on a quarterly basis costs incurred by state agencies, counties, 

cities, and other municipalities and political subdivisions 

in preparing, publishing, and distributing legislative information. The term "legislative information", for the 

putposes of this subsection, means books, pamphlets, repons. and other materials prepared, published, or distributed at substantial cost, a substantial purpose of 

which is to 'influence the passage or defeat of any legislation. The state auditor in his regular examination of 

each agency under chapter 43.09 RCW shall review 

such regulations, accounts, and re'ports and make appropriate findings, comments, and recommendations in his 

examination r~ports concerning those agencies. 

(9) The commission, after hearing, 'by order approved 

and ratified by a majority of the membership of the 

commission, may suspend or modify any of the reporting 

requirements hereunder in a particular case if it finds 

that literal application of this chapter works a manifestly 

unreasonable hardship and if it also finds that such suspension or modificCition will not frustrate the purposes of 

the chapter. The commission shall find that a manifestly 

unreasonable hardship exists if reporting the name of an 

entity requ.ired to be reported under RCW 

·42.17 .240( 1)(g)(ii) would be likely to adversely affect 

t'he competitive position of any entity in which the person filing the report or any member of his immediate 

, family holds any office, directorship, general partnership 

interest, or an ownership interest of ten percent or more. 

Any suspension or modification shall be only to the extent necessary to substantially relieve the hardship. The 

commission shall act to suspend or modify any reporting 

requirements only if it determines that facts exi.st that 

are clear and convincing proof of the' findings required 

hereunder. Any citizen shall have standing to bring an 

(Ch. 42.17 RCW-p 22l 

action in Thurston county superior court to contest the 

propriety of any order entered hereunder within one year 

from the date of the entry of such order. [1977 ex.s. c 

336 § 7; 1975 1st ex.s. c 294 § 25; 1.973 c 1 § 37 (Initiative Measure N.o. 276. approved November 7, 1972).} 

Sunset Art application: See nOle following RCW 42.17.350.
 

Sl'\'erabllity-J977 ex.S. c 336: See note following RCW
 

42.17.040. 

RCW 42.17.375 Reports filed with county elections 

official--Rules gm'erning_ With regard to the reports 

required by this chapter to be filed whh a county auditor 

or county elections official, the commission shall adopt 

rules governing the arrangement, handling, indexing, 

and disclosing of those reports by the. county auditor or 

county elections official. The rules shaH ensure case of 

access by the public to the reports and shall include, but 

not be limited to, requirements for indexing the reports 

by the names of candidates or politiCal committees and 

by the ballot proposition fOT or against which a political 

committee is receiving contnoutions or making expenditures. [1983 c 294' § 1.) 

RCW 42.17.380 Secretary of stat~ attorney gen-' 

eral--Duties. (1) The OfrlCe of the secretary of state 

shall be designated as a place where the public may file 

papers or correspond with the commission and receive 

any form or instruction fromtbe commission. 

(2) Tl-:e attorney general. through his office, shall 

supply such assistance as the commission inay require in r~ order to carry out its responsIDilities: under this chapter. "'--j The commission may employ attorneys who are neither ';..,,-­

the attorney general nor an assistant attorney general to 

carry out any function of the 21tOrney general prescribed 

in this chapter. [1982 c 35 § 196; 1975 1st ex.s. c 294 § 

26; 1973 c 1 § 38 (Initiative "(easure No. 276, approved 

November 7, 1972).) 

Sunset Act application: See note foDowing RC\V 42.17.350. 

Intent--Sel'erability--Err~ dates.---Application--l982 

c 35: See notes following RCW 43..07.160. 

RC\V 42.17.390 ChoU n:medies. and sanctions. (1) 

One or more of the following civil remedies and sanc'" 

tions 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 or political committee probably affected the outco,m.e of any election, 

.the result of said election may be heid void and a special 

election held within sixt)' days of such finding. Any action to void an election shall be commenced within one 

year of the dc.te 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. his registration may be revoked or suspended 

and he may be enjoined from receiving compensation or 

making expenditures for lobbying: Provided, however\ 

That imposition of such sanction shall not excuse said 

(1983 Laws) 
Disclosure 42_17.400 

,. lobbyist from filing statements and reports required by" Sunset Act application: See note foJlowing RCW 42.17.350. 

this chapter. 

• 

(c) Any person ,"'ho violates any of the provisions of 

this chapter may be subject to a civil penalty of not 

more than ten thousand dollars for each such violation. 

(d) Any 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 such delinquency continues. 

(e) Any person who fails to report a contribution or 

expenditure may be subject to a civil penalty equivalent 

to the amount he failed to report. 

(f) 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. [1973 c J § 39 

(Initiative Measure No. 276, approved November 7, 

1971).] 

Sunset Act application: See note following RCW 42.) 7.350. 

RC\\' 42.17.395" Violations--Determination by 

commission-"-Issuance and enforcement of order-­

Hearing-"-ReferraJ--Judicial re\'iew--Petitlon for 

order of enforcement. (I.) The commission may (a) determine whether an actual violation of this chapter has 

occurred; and (b) issue and enforce an .appropriate· order 

following such determination. 

(2) The commission, in cases where it chooses to determine whether an actual violation of this chapter has 

occurred, shall hold a contested case hearing pursuant to 

"the administrative procedure act (chapter )4.04 RC\\·') 

to make such determination. Anv order which the commission issues under this sectio~shalJ be pursuant to .'. such hearing. 

(3) In lieu of holding a hearing or issuing an order 

under this section, the commi"ssion may refer the matter 

to the attorney general or other enforcement agency as 

provided in RCW 42.1.7.360. 

(4) The person against whom an order is directed under this section shall be designated as the respondent. 

Such order may require the respondent to cease and desist from the activit\' which constitutes a violation and in 

addition, or alternatively, may impose one or more of the 

remedies provided in- RCW 42.17 .390( 1) (b), (c), (d), or 

(e): Provided, That no individual penalty assessed by the 

commission may exceed two hundred fifty dollars, and in 

any case where multiple violations arc involved in a single complaint or hearing. the maximum aggregate penalty may not exceed five hundred dollars. . 

(5) An order issued by the commission under this section shall be subject to judicial review under the administrative procedure act (chapter 34.04 RC\\'). If the 

commission's order is not satisfied and no petition for 

rc"\;icw is filed within thirty days as provided in RC\V' 

34.04.130. the commission may petition a court of competent jurisdiction of any county in which a petition for 

review could be filed under that section. for an order of 

enforcement. Proceedings in connection with the tom· 

mission's petition shall be in accordance with RCW 42­

RC\V 42.17.39i Procedure upon petition for enforcement of order of commission--Court's order of 

enforcement. The fono\\~in~ procedure shall apply in all 

cases wh~re the commiSSion has petitioned a court of 

competent jurisdiction for enforcement of any order it 

has issued pursuant to this chapter: 

(.1) J: copy of the petition shall be sen'ed by certified 

mall dIrected to the respondent at his last known address. The court shall issue an order directing the respondent to appear a1 a time designated in the order, not 

less than five days from the date thereof, and show cause 

why the commission's order should not be enforced according to its terms. 

(2) !he commission's ordcr shall be enforced by the 

court If the respondent does not appear, or if the respon?ent appears and the court finds, pursu2.nt to a, 

heaTIng held for that purpose: 

(a) That the commission's order is unsatisfied; and 

(b) That the order is regular on its face; and 

(c) That the respondent's answer discloses no valid 

reason why the commission's order should not be enforced ?r tha t the ~espondent had an appropriate remedy 

by revIew under RC\" 34.04.130 and failed to avail 

himself of that remedy without valid excuse. 

(3) Upon appropri2.1e ~pplication by the respondent, 

the court may, after hearmg and for good cause alter' 

amen~, ~ev~se, s~spend., or postpone all or pan "of th~ commiSSIon s order. In any case where the order is not 

d;forced by the coun according to its terms the reasons 

for the court:s actions shall ~e clearly stated in writing, 

and such action s~aU subject to review by the appel. 

late COUTtS by certwr3n or other appropriate proceeding. 

(4) The court's order .of enforcement, when entered, 

shall have the same forcc and effect as a civil judgment. 

[1982 c 147 § 17; 1975-'76 2nd ex.5. c 112 § 13.}· 

Sunset Act application; Stt note foJlov.ing RCW 42.17.350. 

RC\V 42.17.400 Enforcement. (l) The tto"nt"~~

general and the prosecuting authorit.i~s of political subdivisions of this stale may biing civil actions in the namc' 

of the state for any appropriate civil remedy, including 

but no! iimited to the special remedies provided in RCW 

42.17.390. 

. (2) The. ~ltorncy ~c~:ral and t~e prosecuting authorilies of polItIcal ~Ubdll:lslOns of thiS state may investigate 

or cause to be investigated the activities of any person 

v.:ho t.here is ~eason to believe is or has been acting in 

VIOlatIOn of thiS chapter, and may require any such person or any other. person reasonably believed to have in-· 

fOTmation co~cerning the activities of such person to 

ap~ear at a tIme and place designated in the county in 

whIch ~uch person rcsldes or is found. to give such informallon under oath and to produce a1) accounts~ bills, 

" receipts, books,	 paper and documents which may be rel~

evant or material to any investigation authorized under 

this chapter. 

• 

.i 7.397, as now or hereafter amended. [1982 c 147 § 16; (3) \Vhen the a.t~orney ge?~r~) or the prosecuting au1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 112 § 12.] thonty of any pohtlca) SUbdIVISIOn of this state requires 

the attendance of any person to obtain such information 

(1983 Laws) lCb. 42.17 Rc\\'-p 23} 
- 42.17.400	 Disclosure 

or ihe production of the account~, bills, receipts, 'books, 

papers, and documents \!t'hich may be relevant or material to any investigation authoriz~d under this chapter, 

he shall issue an order setting forth the time when and 

the place where attendance is required and shall cause 

the same to be delivered to or sent by registered mail to 

the' person at least fourteen days before the date fixed 

for attendance.-Such order shall have the same force and 

effect as a subpoena, shall be effective state-wide, and, 

upon application of the attorney general or said prosecuting authority, obedience to the order may be enforced 

by any. superior court judge in the county where the 

person receiving it resides or. is found, in the same manner as though the order were a subpoena. The court, after hearing, for good cause, and upon application of any 

person aggrieved by the order, shall have the right to alter, amend, revise, suspend, or postpone all or any part 

of its provisions. In any case where the order is not enforced by the court according to its terms, the reasons 

for the court's actions shall .be clearly stated in writing, 

and such action shall be subject to review by the appellate courts by certiorari or other appropria te proceeding. 

(4) Any person who has notified the attorney general 

and the prosecuting attorney in the county in which the 

violation occurred in writing that there is reason to believe that some provision of this chapter is being or has 

been violated may himself bring in the name of the state 

any of the actions (hereinafter referred to as a citizen's 

action) authorized under this chapter. This citizen actiQn 

may be brought only if the attorney general and the 

prosecuting attorney have Jailed to commence an action 

hereunder within forty-five days after such notice and 

such person has thereafter further notified the attorney 

general and prosecuting attorney th.at said person will 

commence .a citizen's action within ten days upon their 

failure so to do, and the attorney general and the prosecuting attorney have in fact failed t6 bring such action 

v.'ithin ten days of receipt of said second notice. If the 

person who brings the citizen's action prevails, the judgment awarded shall escheat to the state, but he shall be 

entitled to be reimbursed by the state of Washington for 

costs and attorney's fees he has incurred: Provided, That 

in the case of a citizen's action which is dismissed and 

which the court also finds was brought without reason­

• able cause, the court may order the person commencing 

. th'e action to pay "all costs of trial and reasonable attorney's fees incurred by the defendant. 

(5) In ariy action brought under this section, the court 

. may award	 to the state all costs of investigation and 

trial, including a reasonable attorney's fee to be fixed by 

the court. If. the violation is found to have been in ten­

.tional, the amount of the judgment, which shall for this 

purpose include the costs, may be trebled as punitive 

damages. If damages or trebled damages are awarded in 

such an action brought against a lobbyist, the judgment 

may be awarded against the lobbyist, and the lobbyist's 

employer or employers joined as defendants, jointly, severally, or both. If the defendant prevails, he shall be 

awarded all costs of trial, and may be awarded a reasonable attorney's fee to be fixed by the court to be paid 

by the state of Washington. [1975 1sf ex.s. c 294 § 27; 

leb. 42.17 RCW-p 241 

1973 c 1 § 40 (Initiative Measure No. 276. approved
 

November 7, 1972).]
 

RC\\' 42.17.405 Suspension of reporting prm'isions 

of chapter until January 1, 1986. for candidates, elected 

officials, political. committeeS;,.. Ilnd agencies in small jurisdictions--Voiding of suspension.. (1) During the period between March 26, 1982" and January 1, 1986. the 

reporting provisions of this chapter are suspended as 

they pertain to candidates, elected officials, and agencies 

in jurisdictions with less than one thousand registered 

voters as of the date of the most recent general election 

in the jurisdiction. The suspension also applies to political committees formed to support or oppose ballot propositions in such jurisdictions.. and to persons making 

independent expenditures in support of or opposition to 

such ballot propositions. 

(2) The suspension shall nOl apply in any jurisdiction 

from which a "petition for disclosure- containing the 

valid signatures of five percent of the number of registered voters, as of the date of the most recent general 

election in the jurisdiction, is filed with the commission. 

The commission shall by rule prescribe the form of the 

petition. After the signatures are gathered, the petition 

shall be presented to the auditor or elections officer of 

the county, or counties, in ~-hich the' jurisdiction is )0- . 

cated. The auditor or electiom officer shaH verify the 

signatures and certify to the: commission that the petition coni.~ins no less than the l'equired number of valid 

signatures. The commission, upon receipt of a valid petition, shall order every incumbent elected official and 

candidate in the juri·sdictib.n to file the required statement and reports within thirty days of the date of the 

order. 

(3) The suspension shall not -~pply in any jurisdiction 

which by ordinance, resolutiml.. or other official action. 

has petitioned the commissiOn to void the suspension 

with respect to elected officials and candidates of the 

jurisdiction. A copy of the action shall be sent to the 

commission. If the commission finds the petition to be a 

valid action of the appropriate governing body or authority,. the commission shall issue an order voiding the 

suspension for that jurisdiction. The commission, upon' 

approval of the action, shall order every incumbent 

elected official and candidate in the jurisdiction to file 

the required statement and reports within thirty days of 

the date of the order. 

(4) Any person exempted from reponing by the sus­

.pension under this section may at his or her option file 

the statement and reports. [1982 c 60 § 1.] 

Sunset ~ct applicstion: See note following RCW 42.17.350. 

RC\\' 42.17.410 Limitation on actions, Any action 

brought under the provisions of this chapter must be 

commenced within five years after the date when the violation occurred. [1982 c 147 § 18; 1973 c 1 § 41 (Initiative Measure No. 276, approved November 7, 1972).] 

RC\\' 42.17.420 Date of'mailing deemed date of receipt--Exception. When any application, report, 

statement, notice, or payment required to be made under 

(1983 Laws) 
Disclosure 42.17.945 

......	 the provisiuns of this chapter has been depusited postpaid in the United Staies mail properly adpresscd, it. 

shall be deemed to have been received on the date of ( mailing. It shall be presumed that the date shown by the 

post office cancellation mark on the envelope is the date, 

of mailing. The provisions of this section do not apply to 

reports required to be delivered under RCW 42.17.105. 

[1983 c ]76 § 2; ]973 c J § 42 (Initiative 1\1easure No. 

276, approved November 7, 1972).] 

Sunset Act application: See note following RCW 42.17.350. 

RCW 42.17.430 Certification of reports. Every re­

, port and statement required 'to be filed under this chapter shall identify the person preparing it, and shall be 

certified as complete and correct, both by the person 

preparing it and by the person on whose behalf it is 

filed. [1973 c I § 43 (Initiative Measure No. 276, approved November i, 1972).] 

Sunset Act application: See nOle following RCW 42.17.350.' 

RC\\l 42.17.440 Statements and reports public records. All st?tements and reports filed under this chap· 

ler shall be public records of the agency where lhey are 

filed, and shalf be available for' public inspection and 

copying during normal business hours at the expense of 

the person requesting copies, provided that the 'charge 

for such copies shall not exceed adual cost to the 

agency. [1973 c 1 § 44 (Initiative Measure No. 276! ap· 

proved November 7~ 1972).] 

RC\V 42.17.450 Duty to presene statements and re­

.ports. Persons with whom statements or reports br copies 

,of statements or reports are required to be filed under 

this chapter shall preserve them for not less than six 

vears. The commission, however, shall preserve such 

statements or reports for not -Jess than ten years. [1973 c 

1 § 45 (Initiative Me2sure No. 276, approved November 

i,19i2).] 

Sunset Act application: See note following RCW 42.17.350. 

RC\\' 42.17.900 Effective dste--1973 c 1. The 

effective date of this act shall be January 1, 1973. [19i3 

c I § 49 (Initiative Measure No. 276, approved 

November 7,1972):] 

RC\V 42.17.910 Se\'ersbility--1973 c 1. If any 

provision of this act or its application to any person or 

circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or 

the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected. [J973 c 1 § 46 (Initiative 

Measure No. 276. ap'proved November 7, ]972).] 

'. RC\\' 42.17.911 Sererability--1975 1st ex.s. C 

294. If any provision of this 1975 amendatory act, or its 

application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, 

the remainder of the act. or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected. 

D975 Jst ex.s. C 294 § 29.) 

its appiication to any person or circumstance is held 

invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of 

the provision to other persons or circumstances is not 

affected. [1975-'76 2nd ex.S. c 112 § 16.J 

RC\V 42.17.920 Construction--1973 c 1. The . 

provisions of this act are to be )iberaJJy construed to effectuate ,the policies and purposes of this act. In the 

event of conflict between the provisions of this act and 

any other acr~ the provisions of this act shall govern. 

(1973 c 1 § 47 (Initiative Measure No. 276, approved 

November 7, 1972).] 

RC\V 42.17.930 Chapter, section headings not part 

of law. Chapter and section captions or headings as used 

in this act do not constitute any part of the law. [1973 c 

1 § 48 (Initiative Measure No. 276. approved November 

7,1972).) 

RCW 42.17.940 Repealer--1973 c 1. Chapter 9. 

Laws of 1965, as amended by section 9. chapter 150, 

Laws of 1965 ex. sess... and RCW 29.18.140~ and chapter J3 J, Laws of 1967 ex. sess. and RCv,.' 44.64 [chapter 

44.64 RC\V); 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 Refer-, 

endum Bill No. 25 are each hereby repealed. [1973 c 1 § 

SO (Initiative Measure No. 276.. approved November 7, 

1972).] 

• RC'" 42.17.945 Construetion--1975-"76 2nd_ 

ex.S. c 112. The. provisions of this 1976 amendatory act 

are intended to be remedial and shall be liberally. construed, and nothing in this 1976 amendatory act shall be 

construed to limit the power of the commission under' 

any other prqvision of chapter 42.17 RC\V. [1975-'76 

2nd ex.s. c 112 § 15.] 

, i 

, 

RC\\' 42.17.912 Se\'erability--·1975-'76 2nd ex.s. 

c 112. If any provision of this .J 9i6 amendatory act, or 

(190J Laws)	 [Ch. 42.17 RC'\\'-p 25)