RCW 42.52.010
Definitions.
(Effective until January 1, 2026.)
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
(1) "Agency" means any state board, commission, bureau, committee, department, institution, division, or tribunal in the legislative, executive, or judicial branch of state government. "Agency" includes all elective offices, the state legislature, those institutions of higher education created and supported by the state government, and those courts that are parts of state government. "Agency" does not include a comprehensive cancer center participating in a collaborative arrangement as defined in RCW 28B.10.930
that is operated in conformance with RCW 28B.10.930
.
(2) "Appearance" means the act of performing or participating in an event.
(3) "Assist" means to act, or offer or agree to act, in such a way as to help, aid, advise, furnish information to, or otherwise provide assistance to another person, believing that the action is of help, aid, advice, or assistance to the person and with intent so to assist such person.
(4) "Beneficial interest" means a financial interest in a contract, sale, lease, purchase, or grant to which an individual subject to the act is not a party, but is an owner of an entity that is a party. An ownership interest of less than 10 percent of an entity is not a beneficial interest. However, an ownership interest in a mutual fund or similar investment pooling fund in which the owner has no management powers does not constitute a beneficial interest in the entities in which the fund or pool invests.
(5) "Charitable association, institution, or organization" means any entity that provides services beneficial to the public to an open class of people.
(6) "Civic organization" means a nonprofit group relating to the duties or activities of people in relation to their town, city, or local area.
(7) "Community organization" means an organization aimed at making desired improvements to a community's social health, well-being, and overall functioning.
(8) "Compensation" means anything of economic value, however designated, that is paid, loaned, granted, or transferred, or to be paid, loaned, granted, or transferred for, or in consideration of, personal services to any person.
(9) "Confidential information" means (a) specific information, rather than generalized knowledge, that is not available to the general public on request or (b) information made confidential by law.
(10) "Contract" or "grant" means an agreement between two or more persons that creates an obligation to do or not to do a particular thing. "Contract" or "grant" includes, but is not limited to, an employment contract, a lease, a license, a purchase agreement, or a sales agreement.
(11) "Emergency" means a serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action.
(12) "Ethics boards" means the commission on judicial conduct, the legislative ethics board, and the executive ethics board.
(13) "Extraordinary award" means a national, state, or local award with very few recipients that is sufficiently infrequent to be noteworthy to a reasonable person.
(14) "Family" has the same meaning as "immediate family" in RCW 42.17A.005
.
(15) "Federal holiday" means the legal public holidays provided in 5 U.S.C. Sec. 6103(a), as it existed on July 27, 2025.
(16) "Head of agency" means the chief executive officer of an agency. In the case of an agency headed by a commission, board, committee, or other body consisting of more than one natural person, agency head means the person or board authorized to appoint agency employees and regulate their conduct.
(17) "Honorarium" means money or thing of value offered to a state officer or state employee for a speech, appearance, article, or similar item or activity in connection with the state officer's or state employee's official role.
(18) "Institution of higher education" has the same meaning as in RCW 28B.10.016
.
(19) "Lobbying the legislature" means attempting to influence the passage or defeat of any legislation by the legislature of the state of Washington.
(20) "Official duty" means those duties within the specific scope of employment of the state officer or state employee as defined by the officer's or employee's agency or by statute or the state Constitution.
(21) "Official position" means holding an office or having authority.
(22) "Participate" means to participate in state action or a proceeding personally and substantially as a state officer or state employee, through approval, disapproval, decision, recommendation, the rendering of advice, investigation, or otherwise but does not include preparation, consideration, or enactment of legislation or the performance of legislative duties.
(23) "Person" means any individual, partnership, association, corporation, firm, institution, or other entity, whether or not operated for profit.
(24) "Regulatory agency" means any state board, commission, department, or officer, except those in the legislative or judicial branches, authorized by law to conduct adjudicative proceedings, issue permits or licenses, or to control or affect interests of identified persons.
(25) "Responsibility" in connection with a transaction involving the state, means the direct administrative or operating authority, whether intermediate or final, and either exercisable alone or through subordinates, effectively to approve, disapprove, or otherwise direct state action in respect of such transaction.
(26) "State action" means any action on the part of an agency, including, but not limited to:
(a) A decision, determination, finding, ruling, or order; and
(b) A grant, payment, award, license, contract, transaction, sanction, or approval, or the denial thereof, or failure to act with respect to a decision, determination, finding, ruling, or order.
(27) "State employee" means an individual who is employed by an agency in any branch of state government. For purposes of this chapter, employees of the superior courts are not state officers or state employees.
(28) "State officer" means every person holding a position of public trust in or under an executive, legislative, or judicial office of the state. "State officer" includes judges of the superior court, judges of the court of appeals, justices of the supreme court, members of the legislature together with the secretary of the senate and the chief clerk of the house of representatives, holders of elective offices in the executive branch of state government, chief executive officers of state agencies, members of boards, commissions, or committees with authority over one or more state agencies or institutions, and employees of the state who are engaged in supervisory, policy-making, or policy-enforcing work. For the purposes of this chapter, "state officer" also includes any person exercising or undertaking to exercise the powers or functions of a state officer.
(29) "Thing of economic value," in addition to its ordinary meaning, includes:
(a) A loan, property interest, interest in a contract or other chose in action, and employment or another arrangement involving a right to compensation;
(b) An option, irrespective of the conditions to the exercise of the option; and
(c) A promise or undertaking for the present or future delivery or procurement.
(30)(a) "Transaction involving the state" means a proceeding, application, submission, request for a ruling or other determination, contract, claim, case, or other similar matter that the state officer, state employee, or former state officer or state employee in question believes, or has reason to believe:
(i) Is, or will be, the subject of state action; or
(ii) Is one to which the state is or will be a party; or
(iii) Is one in which the state has a direct and substantial proprietary interest.
(b) "Transaction involving the state" does not include the following: Preparation, consideration, or enactment of legislation, including appropriation of moneys in a budget, or the performance of legislative duties by an officer or employee; or a claim, case, lawsuit, or similar matter if the officer or employee did not participate in the underlying transaction involving the state that is the basis for the claim, case, or lawsuit.
(31) "University" includes "state universities" and "regional universities" as defined in RCW 28B.10.016
and also includes any research or technology institute affiliated with a university.
(32) "University research employee" means a state officer or state employee employed by a university, but only to the extent the state officer or state employee is engaged in research, technology transfer, approved consulting activities related to research and technology transfer, or other incidental activities.
[
2025 c 377 s 1
. Prior:
2022 c 173 s 1
;
2022 c 71 s 15
; prior:
2011 c 60 s 28
;
2005 c 106 s 1
;
1998 c 7 s 1
;
1996 c 213 s 1
;
1994 c 154 s 101
.]
NOTES:
Expiration date
—
2025 c 377 ss 1, 9, 13, 21, 23, 25, and 27:
"Sections 1, 9, 13, 21, 23, 25, and 27 of this act expire January 1, 2026." [
2025 c 377 s 30
.]
Findings
—
Intent
—
2022 c 71:
See note following RCW 28B.10.930
.
Effective date
—
2011 c 60:
See RCW 42.17A.919
.
PDF
RCW 42.52.010
Definitions.
(Effective January 1, 2026.)
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
(1) "Agency" means any state board, commission, bureau, committee, department, institution, division, or tribunal in the legislative, executive, or judicial branch of state government. "Agency" includes all elective offices, the state legislature, those institutions of higher education created and supported by the state government, and those courts that are parts of state government. "Agency" does not include a comprehensive cancer center participating in a collaborative arrangement as defined in RCW 28B.10.930
that is operated in conformance with RCW 28B.10.930
.
(2) "Appearance" means the act of performing or participating in an event.
(3) "Assist" means to act, or offer or agree to act, in such a way as to help, aid, advise, furnish information to, or otherwise provide assistance to another person, believing that the action is of help, aid, advice, or assistance to the person and with intent so to assist such person.
(4) "Beneficial interest" means a financial interest in a contract, sale, lease, purchase, or grant to which an individual subject to the act is not a party, but is an owner of an entity that is a party. An ownership interest of less than 10 percent of an entity is not a beneficial interest. However, an ownership interest in a mutual fund or similar investment pooling fund in which the owner has no management powers does not constitute a beneficial interest in the entities in which the fund or pool invests.
[(5)] "Charitable association, institution, or organization" means any entity that provides services beneficial to the public to an open class of people.
(6) "Civic organization" means a nonprofit group relating to the duties or activities of people in relation to their town, city, or local area.
(7) "Community organization" means an organization aimed at making desired improvements to a community's social health, well-being, and overall functioning.
(8) "Compensation" means anything of economic value, however designated, that is paid, loaned, granted, or transferred, or to be paid, loaned, granted, or transferred for, or in consideration of, personal services to any person.
(9) "Confidential information" means (a) specific information, rather than generalized knowledge, that is not available to the general public on request or (b) information made confidential by law.
(10) "Contract" or "grant" means an agreement between two or more persons that creates an obligation to do or not to do a particular thing. "Contract" or "grant" includes, but is not limited to, an employment contract, a lease, a license, a purchase agreement, or a sales agreement.
(11) "Emergency" means a serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action.
(12) "Ethics boards" means the commission on judicial conduct, the legislative ethics board, and the executive ethics board.
(13) "Extraordinary award" means a national, state, or local award with very few recipients that is sufficiently infrequent to be noteworthy to a reasonable person.
(14) "Family" has the same meaning as "immediate family" in RCW 29B.10.280
.
(15) "Federal holiday" means the legal public holidays provided in 5 U.S.C. Sec. 6103(a), as it existed on January 1, 2026.
(16) "Head of agency" means the chief executive officer of an agency. In the case of an agency headed by a commission, board, committee, or other body consisting of more than one natural person, agency head means the person or board authorized to appoint agency employees and regulate their conduct.
(17) "Honorarium" means money or thing of value offered to a state officer or state employee for a speech, appearance, article, or similar item or activity in connection with the state officer's or state employee's official role.
(18) "Institution of higher education" has the same meaning as in RCW 28B.10.016
.
(19) "Lobbying the legislature" means attempting to influence the passage or defeat of any legislation by the legislature of the state of Washington.
(20) "Official duty" means those duties within the specific scope of employment of the state officer or state employee as defined by the officer's or employee's agency or by statute or the state Constitution.
(21) "Official position" means holding an office or having authority.
(22) "Participate" means to participate in state action or a proceeding personally and substantially as a state officer or state employee, through approval, disapproval, decision, recommendation, the rendering of advice, investigation, or otherwise but does not include preparation, consideration, or enactment of legislation or the performance of legislative duties.
(23) "Person" means any individual, partnership, association, corporation, firm, institution, or other entity, whether or not operated for profit.
(24) "Regulatory agency" means any state board, commission, department, or officer, except those in the legislative or judicial branches, authorized by law to conduct adjudicative proceedings, issue permits or licenses, or to control or affect interests of identified persons.
(25) "Responsibility" in connection with a transaction involving the state, means the direct administrative or operating authority, whether intermediate or final, and either exercisable alone or through subordinates, effectively to approve, disapprove, or otherwise direct state action in respect of such transaction.
(26) "State action" means any action on the part of an agency, including, but not limited to:
(a) A decision, determination, finding, ruling, or order; and
(b) A grant, payment, award, license, contract, transaction, sanction, or approval, or the denial thereof, or failure to act with respect to a decision, determination, finding, ruling, or order.
(27) "State employee" means an individual who is employed by an agency in any branch of state government. For purposes of this chapter, employees of the superior courts are not state officers or state employees.
(28) "State officer" means every person holding a position of public trust in or under an executive, legislative, or judicial office of the state. "State officer" includes judges of the superior court, judges of the court of appeals, justices of the supreme court, members of the legislature together with the secretary of the senate and the chief clerk of the house of representatives, holders of elective offices in the executive branch of state government, chief executive officers of state agencies, members of boards, commissions, or committees with authority over one or more state agencies or institutions, and employees of the state who are engaged in supervisory, policy-making, or policy-enforcing work. For the purposes of this chapter, "state officer" also includes any person exercising or undertaking to exercise the powers or functions of a state officer.
(29) "Thing of economic value," in addition to its ordinary meaning, includes:
(a) A loan, property interest, interest in a contract or other chose in action, and employment or another arrangement involving a right to compensation;
(b) An option, irrespective of the conditions to the exercise of the option; and
(c) A promise or undertaking for the present or future delivery or procurement.
(30)(a) "Transaction involving the state" means a proceeding, application, submission, request for a ruling or other determination, contract, claim, case, or other similar matter that the state officer, state employee, or former state officer or state employee in question believes, or has reason to believe:
(i) Is, or will be, the subject of state action; or
(ii) Is one to which the state is or will be a party; or
(iii) Is one in which the state has a direct and substantial proprietary interest.
(b) "Transaction involving the state" does not include the following: Preparation, consideration, or enactment of legislation, including appropriation of moneys in a budget, or the performance of legislative duties by an officer or employee; or a claim, case, lawsuit, or similar matter if the officer or employee did not participate in the underlying transaction involving the state that is the basis for the claim, case, or lawsuit.
(31) "University" includes "state universities" and "regional universities" as defined in RCW 28B.10.016
and also includes any research or technology institute affiliated with a university.
(32) "University research employee" means a state officer or state employee employed by a university, but only to the extent the state officer or state employee is engaged in research, technology transfer, approved consulting activities related to research and technology transfer, or other incidental activities.
[
2025 c 377 s 2
;
2024 c 164 s 513
. Prior:
2022 c 173 s 1
;
2022 c 71 s 15
; prior:
2011 c 60 s 28
;
2005 c 106 s 1
;
1998 c 7 s 1
;
1996 c 213 s 1
;
1994 c 154 s 101
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2025 c 377 ss 2, 10, 14, 22, 24, 26, and 28:
"Sections 2, 10, 14, 22, 24, 26, and 28 of this act take effect January 1, 2026." [
2025 c 377 s 31
.]
Intent
—
Construction
—
Rules remain valid
—
Effective date
—
2024 c 164:
See notes following RCW 29B.10.010
.
Findings
—
Intent
—
2022 c 71:
See note following RCW 28B.10.930
.
Effective date
—
2011 c 60:
See note following RCW 29B.20.030
.
RCW 42.52.020
Activities incompatible with public duties.
(1) No state officer or state employee may have an interest, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, or engage in a business or transaction or professional activity, or incur an obligation of any nature, that is in conflict with the proper discharge of the state officer's or state employee's official duties.
(2) This section does not apply to activities conducted by legislative employees authorized under RCW 44.90.110
.
[
2024 c 333 s 20
;
1996 c 213 s 2
;
1994 c 154 s 102
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2024 c 333:
See note following RCW 44.90.025
.
RCW 42.52.030
Beneficial interests in transactions.
(1) No state officer or state employee, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, may have a beneficial interest in a contract, sale, lease, purchase, or grant that may be made by, through, or is under the supervision of the officer or employee, in whole or in part, or accept any compensation, gratuity, or reward from any other person who has a beneficial interest in the contract, sale, lease, purchase, or grant.
(2) No state officer or state employee may participate in a transaction involving the state in his or her official capacity with a person of which the officer or employee is an officer, agent, employee, or member, or in which the officer or employee owns a beneficial interest, except that an officer or employee of an institution of higher education may serve as an officer, agent, employee, or member, or on the board of directors, board of trustees, advisory board, or committee or review panel for any nonprofit institute, foundation, or fund-raising entity; and may serve as a member of an advisory board, committee, or review panel for a governmental or other nonprofit entity.
[
2025 c 377 s 3
;
2005 c 106 s 2
;
1996 c 213 s 3
;
1994 c 154 s 103
.]
RCW 42.52.040
Assisting in transactions.
(1) Except in the course of official duties or incident to official duties, no state officer or state employee may assist another person, directly or indirectly, whether or not for compensation, in a transaction involving the state:
(a) In which the state officer or state employee has at any time participated; or
(b) If the transaction involving the state is or has been under the official responsibility of the state officer or state employee within a period of two years preceding such assistance.
(2) No state officer or state employee may share in compensation received by another for assistance that the officer or employee is prohibited from providing under subsection (1) or (3) of this section.
(3) A business entity of which a state officer or state employee is a partner, managing officer, or employee shall not assist another person in a transaction involving the state if the state officer or state employee is prohibited from doing so by subsection (1) of this section.
(4) This chapter does not prevent a state officer or state employee from assisting, in a transaction involving the state:
(a) The state officer's or state employee's parent, spouse or domestic partner, or child, or a child thereof for whom the officer or employee is serving as guardian, executor, administrator, trustee, or other personal fiduciary, if the state officer or state employee did not participate in the transaction; or
(b) Another state employee involved in disciplinary or other personnel administration proceedings.
[
2008 c 6 s 203
;
1994 c 154 s 104
.]
NOTES:
Part headings not law
—
Severability
—
2008 c 6:
See RCW 26.60.900
and
26.60.901
.
RCW 42.52.050
Confidential information
—
Improperly concealed records.
(1) No state officer or state employee may accept employment or engage in any business or professional activity that the officer or employee might reasonably expect would require or induce him or her to make an unauthorized disclosure of confidential information acquired by the official or employee by reason of the official's or employee's official position.
(2) No state officer or state employee may make a disclosure of confidential information gained by reason of the officer's or employee's official position or otherwise use the information for his or her personal gain or benefit or the gain or benefit of another, unless the disclosure has been authorized by statute or by the terms of a contract involving (a) the state officer's or state employee's agency and (b) the person or persons who have authority to waive the confidentiality of the information.
(3) No state officer or state employee may disclose confidential information to any person not entitled or authorized to receive the information.
(4) No state officer or state employee may intentionally conceal a record if the officer or employee knew the record was required to be released under chapter
42.56
RCW, was under a personal obligation to release the record, and failed to do so. This subsection does not apply where the decision to withhold the record was made in good faith.
[
2005 c 274 s 292
;
1996 c 213 s 4
;
1994 c 154 s 105
.]
RCW 42.52.060
Testimony of state officers and state employees.
This chapter does not prevent a state officer or state employee from giving testimony under oath or from making statements required to be made under penalty of perjury or contempt.
[
1994 c 154 s 106
.]
RCW 42.52.070
Special privileges and exemptions
—
Application of section to legislature.
(1) Except as required to perform duties within the scope of employment, no state officer or state employee may use his or her position to secure special privileges or exemptions for himself or herself, or his or her spouse, child, parents, or other persons.
(2) For purposes of this section, and only as applied to legislators and employees under the jurisdiction of the legislative ethics board, activities within the scope of employment include but are not limited to duties enumerated in law and activities that have a tangible legislative nexus as described in RCW 42.52.175
.
(3) For purposes of this section, and only as applied to legislators and employees of the legislative branch, "special privileges" includes, but is not limited to, engaging in behavior that constitutes harassment. As used in this section:
(a) "Harassment" means engaging in physical, verbal, visual, or psychological conduct that:
(i) Has the purpose or effect of interfering with the person's work performance;
(ii) Creates a hostile, intimidating, or offensive work environment; or
(iii) Constitutes sexual harassment.
(b) "Sexual harassment" means unwelcome or unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual or romantic favors, sexually motivated bullying, or other verbal, visual, physical, or psychological conduct or communication of a sexual or romantic nature, when:
(i) Submission to the conduct or communication is either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of current or future employment;
(ii) Submission to or rejection of the conduct or communication is used as the basis of an employment decision affecting the person; or
(iii) The conduct or communication unreasonably interferes with the person's job performance or creates a work environment that is hostile, intimidating, or offensive.
[
2025 c 377 s 4
;
2022 c 37 s 1
;
2019 c 383 s 1
;
1994 c 154 s 107
.]
RCW 42.52.080
Employment after public service.
(1) No former state officer or state employee may, within a period of one year from the date of termination of state employment, accept employment or receive compensation from an employer if:
(a) The officer or employee, during the two years immediately preceding termination of state employment, was engaged in the negotiation or administration on behalf of the state or agency of one or more contracts with that employer and was in a position to make discretionary decisions affecting the outcome of such negotiation or the nature of such administration;
(b) Such a contract or contracts have a total value of more than ten thousand dollars; and
(c) The duties of the employment with the employer or the activities for which the compensation would be received include fulfilling or implementing, in whole or in part, the provisions of such a contract or contracts or include the supervision or control of actions taken to fulfill or implement, in whole or in part, the provisions of such a contract or contracts. This subsection shall not be construed to prohibit a state officer or state employee from accepting employment with a state employee organization.
(2) No person who has served as a state officer or state employee may, within a period of two years following the termination of state employment, have a beneficial interest in a contract or grant that was expressly authorized or funded by specific legislative or executive action in which the former state officer or state employee participated.
(3) No former state officer or state employee may accept an offer of employment or receive compensation from an employer if the officer or employee knows or has reason to believe that the offer of employment or compensation was intended, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, to influence the officer or employee or as compensation or reward for the performance or nonperformance of a duty by the officer or employee during the course of state employment.
(4) No former state officer or state employee may accept an offer of employment or receive compensation from an employer if the circumstances would lead a reasonable person to believe the offer has been made, or compensation given, for the purpose of influencing the performance or nonperformance of duties by the officer or employee during the course of state employment.
(5) No former state officer or state employee may at any time subsequent to his or her state employment assist another person, whether or not for compensation, in any transaction involving the state in which the former state officer or state employee at any time participated during state employment. This subsection shall not be construed to prohibit any employee or officer of a state employee organization from rendering assistance to state officers or state employees in the course of employee organization business.
(6) As used in this section, "employer" means a person as defined in RCW 42.52.010
or any other entity or business that the person owns or in which the person has a controlling interest. For purposes of subsection (1) of this section, the term "employer" does not include a successor organization to the rural development council under chapter
43.31
RCW.
[
2025 c 377 s 5
;
1999 c 299 s 3
;
1994 c 154 s 108
.]
RCW 42.52.090
Limited assistance by former state officers and employees.
This chapter shall not be construed to prevent a former state officer or state employee from rendering assistance to others if the assistance is provided without compensation in any form and is limited to one or more of the following:
(1) Providing the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of state agencies or state employees;
(2) Providing free transportation to another for the purpose of conducting business with a state agency;
(3) Assisting an individual or nonprofit corporation in obtaining or completing application forms or other forms required by a state agency for the conduct of a state business; or
(4) Providing assistance to the poor and infirm.
[
2025 c 377 s 6
;
1994 c 154 s 109
.]
RCW 42.52.100
Conditions on appearance before state agencies or doing business with the state
—
Hearing
—
Judicial review.
(1) The head of an agency, upon finding that any former state officer or state employee of such agency or any other person has violated any provision of this chapter or rules adopted under it, may, in addition to any other powers the head of such agency may have, bar or impose reasonable conditions upon:
(a) The appearance before such agency of such former state officer or state employee or other person; and
(b) The conduct of, or negotiation or competition for, business with such agency by such former state officer or state employee or other person, such period of time as may reasonably be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
(2) Findings of violations referred to in subsection (1)(b) of this section shall be made on record after notice and hearing, conducted in accordance with the Washington Administrative Procedure Act, chapter
34.05
RCW. Such findings and orders are subject to judicial review.
(3) This section does not apply to the legislative or judicial branches of government.
[
1994 c 154 s 110
;
1969 ex.s. c 234 s 27
. Formerly RCW 42.18.270
.]
RCW 42.52.110
Compensation for official duties or nonperformance.
No state officer or state employee may, directly or indirectly, ask for or give or receive or agree to receive any compensation, gift, reward, or gratuity from a source for performing or omitting or deferring the performance of any official duty, unless otherwise authorized by law except: (1) The state of Washington; or (2) in the case of officers or employees of institutions of higher education, a governmental entity, an agency or instrumentality of a governmental entity, or a nonprofit corporation organized for the benefit and support of the state employee's agency or other state agencies pursuant to an agreement with the state employee's agency.
[
2025 c 377 s 7
;
1996 c 213 s 5
;
1994 c 154 s 111
.]
RCW 42.52.120
Compensation for outside activities.
(1) No state officer or state employee may receive any thing of economic value under any contract or grant outside of his or her official duties. The prohibition in this subsection does not apply where the state officer or state employee has met each of the following conditions:
(a) The contract or grant is bona fide and actually performed;
(b) The performance or administration of the contract or grant is not within the course of the officer's or employee's official duties, or is not under the officer's or employee's official supervision;
(c) The performance of the contract or grant is not prohibited by RCW 42.52.040
or by applicable laws or rules governing outside employment for the officer or employee;
(d) The contract or grant is neither performed for nor compensated by any person from whom such officer or employee would be prohibited by RCW 42.52.150
(6) from receiving a gift;
(e) The contract or grant is not one expressly created or authorized by the officer or employee in his or her official capacity;
(f) The contract or grant would not require unauthorized disclosure of confidential information.
(2) In addition to satisfying the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, a state officer or state employee may have a beneficial interest in a grant or contract or a series of substantially identical contracts or grants with a state agency only if:
(a) The contract or grant is awarded or issued as a result of an open and competitive bidding process in which more than one bid or grant application was received; or
(b) The contract or grant is awarded or issued as a result of an open and competitive bidding or selection process in which the officer's or employee's bid or proposal was the only bid or proposal received and the officer or employee has been advised by the appropriate ethics board, before execution of the contract or grant, that the contract or grant would not be in conflict with the proper discharge of the officer's or employee's official duties; or
(c) The process for awarding the contract or issuing the grant is not open and competitive, but the officer or employee has been advised by the appropriate ethics board after the contract or grant has been awarded that the contract or grant would not be in conflict with the proper discharge of the officer's or employee's official duties.
(3) A state officer or state employee awarded a contract or issued a grant in compliance with subsection (2) of this section shall file the contract or grant with the appropriate ethics board within thirty days after the date of execution; however, if proprietary formulae, designs, drawings, or research are included in the contract or grant, the proprietary formulae, designs, drawings, or research may be deleted from the contract or grant filed with the appropriate ethics board.
(4) This section does not prevent a state officer or state employee from receiving compensation contributed from the treasury of the United States, another state, county, or municipality if the compensation is received pursuant to arrangements entered into between such state, county, municipality, or the United States and the officer's or employee's agency. This section does not prohibit a state officer or state employee from serving or performing any duties under an employment contract with a governmental entity.
(5) As used in this section, "officer" and "employee" do not include officers and employees who, in accordance with the terms of their employment or appointment, are serving without compensation from the state of Washington or are receiving from the state only reimbursement of expenses incurred or a predetermined allowance for such expenses.
[
2025 c 377 s 8
;
1997 c 318 s 1
;
1996 c 213 s 6
;
1994 c 154 s 112
.]
RCW 42.52.130
Honoraria.
(1) No state officer or state employee may receive honoraria unless specifically authorized by the agency where they serve as state officer or state employee.
(2) An agency may not permit honoraria under the following circumstances:
(a) The person offering the honorarium is seeking or is reasonably expected to seek contractual relations with or a grant from the employer of the state officer or state employee, and the officer or employee is in a position to participate in the terms or the award of the contract or grant;
(b) The person offering the honorarium is regulated by the employer of the state officer or state employee and the officer or employee is in a position to participate in the regulation; or
(c) The person offering the honorarium (i) is seeking or opposing or is reasonably likely to seek or oppose enactment of legislation or adoption of administrative rules or actions, or policy changes by the state officer's or state employee's agency; and (ii) the officer or employee may participate in the enactment or adoption.
[
1994 c 154 s 113
.]
RCW 42.52.150
Limitations on gifts.
(Effective until January 1, 2026.)
(1)(a) Unless the context requires otherwise, the definition of "gift" in this subsection applies throughout this chapter.
(b) "Gift" means anything of economic value for which no consideration is given.
(c) "Gift" does not include the following:
(i) Items from family members or friends where it is clear beyond a reasonable doubt that the gift was not made as part of any design to gain or maintain influence in the agency of which the recipient is an officer or employee;
(ii) Items related to the outside business of the recipient that are customary and not related to the recipient's performance of official duties;
(iii) Items exchanged among officials and employees at a social event hosted or sponsored by a state officer or state employee for coworkers;
(iv) Payments by a governmental or nongovernmental entity of reasonable expenses incurred in connection with a speech, presentation, appearance, or trade mission made in an official capacity. As used in this subsection, "reasonable expenses" are limited to travel, lodging, and subsistence expenses incurred the day before through the day after the event;
(v) Items a state officer or state employee is authorized by law to accept;
(vi) Payment of enrollment and course fees and reasonable travel expenses attributable to attending seminars and educational programs sponsored by a bona fide governmental or nonprofit professional, educational, trade, or charitable association or institution. As used in this subsection, "reasonable expenses" are limited to travel, lodging, and subsistence expenses incurred the day before through the day after the event;
(vii) Items returned by the recipient to the donor within 30 days of receipt or donated to a charitable organization within 30 days of receipt;
(viii) Campaign contributions reported under chapter
42.17A
RCW;
(ix) Discounts available to an individual as a member of an employee group, occupation, or similar broad-based group;
(x) Awards, prizes, scholarships, or other items provided in recognition of academic or scientific achievement; and
(xi) Gift cards received by legislative employees in an amount of $25 or less.
(2) No state officer or state employee may receive, accept, take, seek, or solicit, directly or indirectly, any thing of economic value as a gift, gratuity, or favor from a person if it could be reasonably expected that the gift, gratuity, or favor would influence the vote, action, or judgment of the officer or employee, or be considered as part of a reward for action or inaction.
(3) No state officer or state employee may accept gifts, other than those specified in subsections (4) and (7) of this section, with an aggregate value in excess of $100 from a single source in a calendar year or a single gift from multiple sources with a value in excess of $100. For purposes of this section, "single source" means any person, as defined in RCW 42.52.010, whether acting directly or through any agent or other intermediary, and "single gift" includes any event, item, or group of items used in conjunction with each other or any trip including transportation, lodging, and attendant costs, not excluded from the definition of gift under subsection (1)(c) of this section. The value of gifts given to an officer's or employee's family member or guest shall be attributed to the official or employee for the purpose of determining whether the limit has been exceeded, unless an independent business, family, or social relationship exists between the donor and the family member or guest.
(4) Except as provided in subsection (6) of this section, the following items are presumed not to influence under subsection (3) of this section, and may be accepted without regard to the limit established by subsection (3) of this section:
(a) Unsolicited flowers, plants, and floral arrangements;
(b) Unsolicited advertising or promotional items of nominal value, such as pens and note pads;
(c) Unsolicited tokens or awards of appreciation in the form of a plaque, trophy, desk item, wall memento, or similar item;
(d) Unsolicited items received by a state officer or state employee for the purpose of evaluation or review, if the officer or employee has no personal beneficial interest in the eventual use or acquisition of the item by the officer's or employee's agency;
(e) Informational material, publications, or subscriptions related to the recipient's performance of official duties;
(f) Food and beverages consumed at hosted receptions where attendance is related to the state officer's or state employee's official duties;
(g) Gifts, grants, conveyances, bequests, and devises of real or personal property, or both, in trust or otherwise accepted and solicited for deposit in the legislative international trade account created in RCW 43.15.050
;
(h) Gifts, grants, conveyances, bequests, and devises of real or personal property, or both, solicited on behalf of a national or regional legislative association as defined in RCW 42.52.822
(2), the 2006 official conference of the national lieutenant governors' association, the annual conference of the national association of state treasurers, or a host committee, for the purpose of hosting an official conference under the circumstances specified in RCW 42.52.820, section 2, chapter 5, Laws of 2006, RCW 42.52.821, or RCW 42.52.822
. Anything solicited or accepted may only be received by the national association or host committee and may not be commingled with any funds or accounts that are the property of any person;
(i) Admission to, and the cost of food and beverages consumed at, events sponsored by or in conjunction with a civic, charitable, governmental, or community organization;
(j) Unsolicited gifts from dignitaries from another state or a foreign country that are intended to be personal in nature;
(k) Gifts, grants, donations, sponsorships, or contributions from any agency or federal or local government agency or program or private source for the purposes of chapter
28B.156
RCW; and
(l) Unsolicited gifts received by legislative employees from a legislator.
(5) The presumption in subsection (4) of this section is rebuttable and may be overcome based on the circumstances surrounding the giving and acceptance of the item.
(6) Notwithstanding subsections (4) and (7) of this section, a state officer or state employee of a regulatory agency or of an agency that seeks to acquire goods or services who participates in those regulatory or contractual matters may receive, accept, take, or seek, directly or indirectly, only the following items from a person regulated by the agency or from a person who seeks to provide goods or services to the agency:
(a) Unsolicited advertising or promotional items of nominal value, such as pens and note pads;
(b) Unsolicited tokens or awards of appreciation in the form of a plaque, trophy, desk item, wall memento, or similar item;
(c) Unsolicited items received by a state officer or state employee for the purpose of evaluation or review, if the officer or employee has no personal interest in the eventual use or acquisition of the item by the officer's or employee's agency;
(d) Informational material, publications, or subscriptions related to the recipient's performance of official duties;
(e) Food and beverages consumed at hosted receptions where attendance is related to the state officer's or state employee's official duties;
(f) Admission to, and the cost of food and beverages consumed at, events sponsored by or in conjunction with a civic, charitable, governmental, or community organization; and
(g) Those items excluded from the definition of gift in subsection (1)(c) of this section except:
(i) Payments by a governmental or nongovernmental entity of reasonable expenses incurred in connection with a speech, presentation, appearance, or trade mission made in an official capacity;
(ii) Payments for seminars and educational programs sponsored by a bona fide governmental or nonprofit professional, educational, trade, or charitable association or institution; and
(iii) Flowers, plants, and floral arrangements.
(7) A state officer or state employee may accept gifts in the form of food and beverage on infrequent occasions in the ordinary course of meals where attendance by the officer or employee is related to the performance of official duties. Gifts in the form of food and beverage that exceed $100 on a single occasion shall be reported as provided in chapter
42.17A
RCW.
[
2025 c 377 s 9
;
2023 c 91 s 2
. Prior:
2015 3rd sp.s. c 20 s 7
;
2015 c 45 s 2
;
2011 c 60 s 29
;
2006 c 5 s 3
;
2003 1st sp.s. c 23 s 2
; prior:
2003 c 265 s 3
;
2003 c 153 s 6
;
1998 c 7 s 2
;
1994 c 154 s 115
.]
NOTES:
Expiration date
—
2025 c 377 ss 1, 9, 13, 21, 23, 25, and 27:
See note following RCW 42.52.010
.
Finding
—
Intent
—
Short title
—
2015 3rd sp.s. c 20:
See RCW 28B.156.005
and
28B.156.900
.
Effective date
—
2011 c 60:
See RCW 42.17A.919
.
Findings
—
2006 c 5:
"The legislature finds that due to the massive devastation inflicted on the city of New Orleans by hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005, the city of New Orleans will not be able to meet its obligation to host the national lieutenant governors' association's annual conference scheduled for July 17 through July 19, 2006. As a result of this unfortunate situation, the members of the national lieutenant governors' association officially pressed to have Washington state host the next annual conference in Seattle, Washington, and lieutenant governor Brad Owen has agreed to do so. The legislature further finds, in recognition of the unprecedented situation created by this natural disaster, the high national visibility of this important event, and due to the limited amount of time remaining for planning and fund-raising, it is necessary to initiate fund-raising activities for this national conference as soon as possible." [
2006 c 5 s 1
.]
Effective date
—
2006 c 5:
"This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [February 7, 2006]." [
2006 c 5 s 4
.]
Findings
—
2003 c 153:
See note following RCW 43.330.090
.
PDF
RCW 42.52.150
Limitations on gifts.
(Effective January 1, 2026.)
(1)(a) Unless the context requires otherwise, the definition of "gift" in this subsection applies throughout this chapter.
(b) "Gift" means anything of economic value for which no consideration is given.
(c) "Gift" does not include the following:
(i) Items from family members or friends where it is clear beyond a reasonable doubt that the gift was not made as part of any design to gain or maintain influence in the agency of which the recipient is an officer or employee;
(ii) Items related to the outside business of the recipient that are customary and not related to the recipient's performance of official duties;
(iii) Items exchanged among officials and employees at a social event hosted or sponsored by a state officer or state employee for coworkers;
(iv) Payments by a governmental or nongovernmental entity of reasonable expenses incurred in connection with a speech, presentation, appearance, or trade mission made in an official capacity. As used in this subsection, "reasonable expenses" are limited to travel, lodging, and subsistence expenses incurred the day before through the day after the event;
(v) Items a state officer or state employee is authorized by law to accept;
(vi) Payment of enrollment and course fees and reasonable travel expenses attributable to attending seminars and educational programs sponsored by a bona fide governmental or nonprofit professional, educational, trade, or charitable association or institution. As used in this subsection, "reasonable expenses" are limited to travel, lodging, and subsistence expenses incurred the day before through the day after the event;
(vii) Items returned by the recipient to the donor within 30 days of receipt or donated to a charitable organization within 30 days of receipt;
(viii) Campaign contributions reported under Title
29B
RCW;
(ix) Discounts available to an individual as a member of an employee group, occupation, or similar broad-based group;
(x) Awards, prizes, scholarships, or other items provided in recognition of academic or scientific achievement; and
(xi) Gift cards received by legislative employees in an amount of $25 or less.
(2) No state officer or state employee may receive, accept, take, seek, or solicit, directly or indirectly, any thing of economic value as a gift, gratuity, or favor from a person if it could be reasonably expected that the gift, gratuity, or favor would influence the vote, action, or judgment of the officer or employee, or be considered as part of a reward for action or inaction.
(3) No state officer or state employee may accept gifts, other than those specified in subsections (4) and (7) of this section, with an aggregate value in excess of $100 from a single source in a calendar year or a single gift from multiple sources with a value in excess of $100. For purposes of this section, "single source" means any person, as defined in RCW 42.52.010, whether acting directly or through any agent or other intermediary, and "single gift" includes any event, item, or group of items used in conjunction with each other or any trip including transportation, lodging, and attendant costs, not excluded from the definition of gift under subsection (1)(c) of this section. The value of gifts given to an officer's or employee's family member or guest shall be attributed to the official or employee for the purpose of determining whether the limit has been exceeded, unless an independent business, family, or social relationship exists between the donor and the family member or guest.
(4) Except as provided in subsection (6) of this section, the following items are presumed not to influence under subsection (3) of this section, and may be accepted without regard to the limit established by subsection (3) of this section:
(a) Unsolicited flowers, plants, and floral arrangements;
(b) Unsolicited advertising or promotional items of nominal value, such as pens and note pads;
(c) Unsolicited tokens or awards of appreciation in the form of a plaque, trophy, desk item, wall memento, or similar item;
(d) Unsolicited items received by a state officer or state employee for the purpose of evaluation or review, if the officer or employee has no personal beneficial interest in the eventual use or acquisition of the item by the officer's or employee's agency;
(e) Informational material, publications, or subscriptions related to the recipient's performance of official duties;
(f) Food and beverages consumed at hosted receptions where attendance is related to the state officer's or state employee's official duties;
(g) Gifts, grants, conveyances, bequests, and devises of real or personal property, or both, in trust or otherwise accepted and solicited for deposit in the legislative international trade account created in RCW 43.15.050
;
(h) Gifts, grants, conveyances, bequests, and devises of real or personal property, or both, solicited on behalf of a national or regional legislative association as defined in RCW 42.52.822
(2), the 2006 official conference of the national lieutenant governors' association, the annual conference of the national association of state treasurers, or a host committee, for the purpose of hosting an official conference under the circumstances specified in RCW 42.52.820, section 2, chapter 5, Laws of 2006, RCW 42.52.821, or RCW 42.52.822
. Anything solicited or accepted may only be received by the national association or host committee and may not be commingled with any funds or accounts that are the property of any person;
(i) Admission to, and the cost of food and beverages consumed at, events sponsored by or in conjunction with a civic, charitable, governmental, or community organization;
(j) Unsolicited gifts from dignitaries from another state or a foreign country that are intended to be personal in nature;
(k) Gifts, grants, donations, sponsorships, or contributions from any agency or federal or local government agency or program or private source for the purposes of chapter
28B.156
RCW; and
(l) Unsolicited gifts received by legislative employees from a legislator.
(5) The presumption in subsection (4) of this section is rebuttable and may be overcome based on the circumstances surrounding the giving and acceptance of the item.
(6) Notwithstanding subsections (4) and (7) of this section, a state officer or state employee of a regulatory agency or of an agency that seeks to acquire goods or services who participates in those regulatory or contractual matters may receive, accept, take, or seek, directly or indirectly, only the following items from a person regulated by the agency or from a person who seeks to provide goods or services to the agency:
(a) Unsolicited advertising or promotional items of nominal value, such as pens and note pads;
(b) Unsolicited tokens or awards of appreciation in the form of a plaque, trophy, desk item, wall memento, or similar item;
(c) Unsolicited items received by a state officer or state employee for the purpose of evaluation or review, if the officer or employee has no personal interest in the eventual use or acquisition of the item by the officer's or employee's agency;
(d) Informational material, publications, or subscriptions related to the recipient's performance of official duties;
(e) Food and beverages consumed at hosted receptions where attendance is related to the state officer's or state employee's official duties;
(f) Admission to, and the cost of food and beverages consumed at, events sponsored by or in conjunction with a civic, charitable, governmental, or community organization; and
(g) Those items excluded from the definition of gift in subsection (1)(c) of this section except:
(i) Payments by a governmental or nongovernmental entity of reasonable expenses incurred in connection with a speech, presentation, appearance, or trade mission made in an official capacity;
(ii) Payments for seminars and educational programs sponsored by a bona fide governmental or nonprofit professional, educational, trade, or charitable association or institution; and
(iii) Flowers, plants, and floral arrangements.
(7) A state officer or state employee may accept gifts in the form of food and beverage on infrequent occasions in the ordinary course of meals where attendance by the officer or employee is related to the performance of official duties. Gifts in the form of food and beverage that exceed $100 on a single occasion shall be reported as provided in Title
29B
RCW.
[
2025 c 377 s 10
;
2024 c 164 s 514
;
2023 c 91 s 2
. Prior:
2015 3rd sp.s. c 20 s 7
;
2015 c 45 s 2
;
2011 c 60 s 29
;
2006 c 5 s 3
;
2003 1st sp.s. c 23 s 2
; prior:
2003 c 265 s 3
;
2003 c 153 s 6
;
1998 c 7 s 2
;
1994 c 154 s 115
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2025 c 377 ss 2, 10, 14, 22, 24, 26, and 28:
See note following RCW 42.52.010
.
Intent
—
Construction
—
Rules remain valid
—
Effective date
—
2024 c 164:
See notes following RCW 29B.10.010
.
Finding
—
Intent
—
Short title
—
2015 3rd sp.s. c 20:
See RCW 28B.156.005
and
28B.156.900
.
Effective date
—
2011 c 60:
See note following RCW 29B.20.030
.
Findings
—
2006 c 5:
"The legislature finds that due to the massive devastation inflicted on the city of New Orleans by hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005, the city of New Orleans will not be able to meet its obligation to host the national lieutenant governors' association's annual conference scheduled for July 17 through July 19, 2006. As a result of this unfortunate situation, the members of the national lieutenant governors' association officially pressed to have Washington state host the next annual conference in Seattle, Washington, and lieutenant governor Brad Owen has agreed to do so. The legislature further finds, in recognition of the unprecedented situation created by this natural disaster, the high national visibility of this important event, and due to the limited amount of time remaining for planning and fund-raising, it is necessary to initiate fund-raising activities for this national conference as soon as possible." [
2006 c 5 s 1
.]
Effective date
—
2006 c 5:
"This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [February 7, 2006]." [
2006 c 5 s 4
.]
Findings
—
2003 c 153:
See note following RCW 43.330.090
.
RCW 42.52.160
Use of persons, money, or property for private gain.
(1) No state officer or state employee may employ or use any person, money, or property under the officer's or employee's official control or direction, or in his or her official custody, for the private benefit or gain of the officer, employee, or another.
(2) This section does not prohibit the use of public resources to benefit others as part of a state officer's or state employee's official duties. It is not a violation of this section for a legislator or employees under the jurisdiction of the legislative ethics board to engage in activities listed under RCW 42.52.822
or
42.52.175
.
(3) This section does not prohibit de minimis use of state facilities to provide employees with information about (a) medical, surgical, and hospital care; (b) life insurance or accident and health disability insurance; or (c) individual retirement accounts, by any person, firm, or corporation administering such program as part of authorized payroll deductions pursuant to RCW 41.04.020
.
(4) The appropriate ethics boards may adopt rules providing exceptions to this section for occasional use of the state officer or state employee, of de minimis cost and value, if the activity does not result in interference with the proper performance of official duties.
(5) This section does not apply to activities conducted by legislative employees authorized under RCW 44.90.110
.
[
2025 c 377 s 11
;
2024 c 333 s 21
;
2023 c 91 s 3
;
2022 c 37 s 2
;
2014 c 28 s 1
;
1996 c 213 s 7
;
1994 c 154 s 116
;
1987 c 426 s 3
. Formerly RCW 42.18.217
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2024 c 333:
See note following RCW 44.90.025
.
RCW 42.52.170
Giving, paying, loaning, etc., any thing of economic value to state employee.
No person shall give, pay, loan, transfer, or deliver, directly or indirectly, to any other person any thing of economic value believing or having reason to believe that there exist circumstances making the receipt thereof a violation of RCW 42.52.040, 42.52.110, 42.52.120, *
42.52.140, or
42.52.150
.
[
1994 c 154 s 117
;
1987 c 426 s 5
;
1969 ex.s. c 234 s 23
. Formerly RCW 42.18.230
.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note:
RCW 42.52.140
was repealed by
2025 c 377 s 29
.
RCW 42.52.175
Legislative nexus.
(1) This section applies to legislators and employees under the jurisdiction of the legislative ethics board.
(2) Legislative nexus means activities by legislators and staff having a reasonably objective connection to the legislator's or staff's official duties or to the policy or programmatic prerogatives of the legislature, or the legislative institution. In cases where legislative nexus is required for the use of state resources, activities with a per se tangible legislative nexus also include the following:
(a) Communications directly pertaining to any legislative proposal which has been introduced in either chamber of the legislature; and
(b) Posting information to an official legislative website or social media account about:
(i) Emergencies;
(ii) Federal holidays, state holidays recognized under RCW 1.16.050, religious holidays, and generally recognized days or months of note;
(iii) Information originally provided or published by other government entities which provide information about government resources;
(iv) Achievements, honors, or awards of extraordinary distinction received by a constituent who has granted permission to post about the achievement, honor, or award;
(v) A legislator if the information posted has a direct and tangible relationship to a legislative proposal or policy introduced in the legislature; and
(vi) Commemorations or celebrations of Washington state historical events, holidays, or persons who are not current legislators.
[
2025 c 377 s 12
.]
RCW 42.52.180
Use of public resources for political campaigns.
(Effective until January 1, 2026.)
(1) No state officer or state employee may use or authorize the use of facilities of an agency, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of assisting a campaign for election of a person to an office or for the promotion of or opposition to a ballot proposition. Knowing acquiescence by a person with authority to direct, control, or influence the actions of the state officer or state employee using public resources in violation of this section constitutes a violation of this section. Facilities of an agency include, but are not limited to, use of stationery, postage, machines, and equipment, use of state employees of the agency during working hours, vehicles, office space, publications of the agency, and clientele lists of persons served by the agency.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to the following activities:
(a) Action taken at an open public meeting by members of an elected legislative body to express a collective decision, or to actually vote upon a motion, proposal, resolution, order, or ordinance, or to support or oppose a ballot proposition as long as (i) required notice of the meeting includes the title and number of the ballot proposition, and (ii) members of the legislative body or members of the public are afforded an approximately equal opportunity for the expression of an opposing view;
(b) A statement by an elected official in support of or in opposition to any ballot proposition at an open press conference or in response to a specific inquiry. For the purposes of this subsection, it is not a violation of this section for an elected official to respond to an inquiry regarding a ballot proposition, to make incidental remarks concerning a ballot proposition in an official communication, or otherwise comment on a ballot proposition without an actual, measurable expenditure of public funds. The ethics boards shall adopt by rule a definition of measurable expenditure;
(c)(i) The maintenance of official legislative websites throughout the year, regardless of pending elections. The websites may contain any discretionary material which was also specifically prepared for the legislator in the course of his or her official duties as a legislator, including newsletters and press releases.
(ii) The official legislative websites of legislators seeking reelection or election to any office shall not be altered, other than during a special legislative session or to change office contact information, beginning on the first day of the declaration of candidacy filing period specified in RCW 29A.24.050
through the date of certification by the secretary of state of the general election of the election year. As used in this subsection, "legislator" means a legislator who is a "candidate," as defined in RCW 42.17A.005, for any public office. "Legislator" does not include a member of the legislature who has announced their retirement from elected public office and who does not file a declaration of candidacy by the end of the candidacy filing period specified in RCW 29A.24.050
.
(iii) The website shall not be used for campaign purposes;
(d) Activities that are part of the normal and regular conduct of the office or agency;
(e) De minimis use of public facilities by statewide elected officials and legislators incidental to the preparation or delivery of permissible communications, including written and verbal communications initiated by them of their views on ballot propositions that foreseeably may affect a matter that falls within their constitutional or statutory responsibilities; and
(f) Activities with a legislative nexus as described under RCW 42.52.175
. For the official legislative website of a legislator, this subsection is subject to subsection (2)(c)(ii) of this section. Official legislative websites that are not the official legislative website of a legislator are not subject to subsection (2)(c)(ii) of this section but may not directly or indirectly reference a ballot measure or legislator running for elected office, during the period described in subsection (2)(c)(ii) of this section.
(3) As to state officers and employees, this section operates to the exclusion of RCW 42.17A.555
.
(4) As used in this section, "official legislative website" includes, but is not limited to, a legislator's official legislative social media accounts.
[
2025 c 377 s 13
;
2022 c 37 s 3
;
2017 c 7 s 2
;
2011 c 60 s 30
;
2010 c 185 s 1
;
1995 c 397 s 30
;
1994 c 154 s 118
.]
NOTES:
Expiration date
—
2025 c 377 ss 1, 9, 13, 21, 23, 25, and 27:
See note following RCW 42.52.010
.
Finding
—
Intent
—
2017 c 7:
"The legislature finds that the prohibition on the use of public resources for campaign purposes serves an important purpose, but that the period prohibiting state legislators from communicating with constituents at public expense is unnecessary once the election, and the campaign itself, has ended. Furthermore, the delay in constituent outreach after the election only hinders a legislator's ability to quickly and effectively respond to requests and keep the public informed about current state issues, and the various deadlines relating to mailed, emailed, and website communications are confusing and need to be harmonized. For these reasons, the legislature intends to change mailed, emailed, and website communication deadlines to the same time periods, in order to allow legislators to actively engage with the public on official legislative business in a timely and effective manner." [
2017 c 7 s 1
.]
Effective date
—
2017 c 7:
"This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [March 31, 2017]." [
2017 c 7 s 4
.]
Effective date
—
2011 c 60:
See RCW 42.17A.919
.
Effective date
—
Captions
—
1995 c 397:
See RCW 42.17A.910
and
42.17A.911
.
PDF
RCW 42.52.180
Use of public resources for political campaigns.
(Effective January 1, 2026.)
(1) No state officer or state employee may use or authorize the use of facilities of an agency, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of assisting a campaign for election of a person to an office or for the promotion of or opposition to a ballot proposition. Knowing acquiescence by a person with authority to direct, control, or influence the actions of the state officer or state employee using public resources in violation of this section constitutes a violation of this section. Facilities of an agency include, but are not limited to, use of stationery, postage, machines, and equipment, use of state employees of the agency during working hours, vehicles, office space, publications of the agency, and clientele lists of persons served by the agency.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to the following activities:
(a) Action taken at an open public meeting by members of an elected legislative body to express a collective decision, or to actually vote upon a motion, proposal, resolution, order, or ordinance, or to support or oppose a ballot proposition as long as (i) required notice of the meeting includes the title and number of the ballot proposition, and (ii) members of the legislative body or members of the public are afforded an approximately equal opportunity for the expression of an opposing view;
(b) A statement by an elected official in support of or in opposition to any ballot proposition at an open press conference or in response to a specific inquiry. For the purposes of this subsection, it is not a violation of this section for an elected official to respond to an inquiry regarding a ballot proposition, to make incidental remarks concerning a ballot proposition in an official communication, or otherwise comment on a ballot proposition without an actual, measurable expenditure of public funds. The ethics boards shall adopt by rule a definition of measurable expenditure;
(c)(i) The maintenance of official legislative websites throughout the year, regardless of pending elections. The websites may contain any discretionary material which was also specifically prepared for the legislator in the course of his or her official duties as a legislator, including newsletters and press releases.
(ii) The official legislative websites of legislators seeking reelection or election to any office shall not be altered, other than during a special legislative session or to change office contact information, beginning on the first day of the declaration of candidacy filing period specified in RCW 29A.24.050
through the date of certification by the secretary of state of the general election of the election year. As used in this subsection, "legislator" means a legislator who is a "candidate," as defined in RCW 29B.10.090, for any public office. "Legislator" does not include a member of the legislature who has announced their retirement from elected public office and who does not file a declaration of candidacy by the end of the candidacy filing period specified in RCW 29A.24.050
.
(iii) The website shall not be used for campaign purposes;
(d) Activities that are part of the normal and regular conduct of the office or agency;
(e) De minimis use of public facilities by statewide elected officials and legislators incidental to the preparation or delivery of permissible communications, including written and verbal communications initiated by them of their views on ballot propositions that foreseeably may affect a matter that falls within their constitutional or statutory responsibilities; and
(f) Activities with a legislative nexus as described under RCW 42.52.175
. For the official legislative website of a legislator, this subsection is subject to subsection (2)(c)(ii) of this section. Official legislative websites that are not the official legislative website of a legislator are not subject to subsection (2)(c)(ii) of this section but may not directly or indirectly reference a ballot measure or legislator running for elected office, during the period described in subsection (2)(c)(ii) of this section.
(3) As to state officers and employees, this section operates to the exclusion of RCW 29B.45.010
.
(4) As used in this section, "official legislative website" includes, but is not limited to, a legislator's official legislative social media accounts.
[
2025 c 377 s 14
;
2024 c 164 s 515
;
2022 c 37 s 3
;
2017 c 7 s 2
;
2011 c 60 s 30
;
2010 c 185 s 1
;
1995 c 397 s 30
;
1994 c 154 s 118
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2025 c 377 ss 2, 10, 14, 22, 24, 26, and 28:
See note following RCW 42.52.010
.
Intent
—
Construction
—
Rules remain valid
—
Effective date
—
2024 c 164:
See notes following RCW 29B.10.010
.
Finding
—
Intent
—
2017 c 7:
"The legislature finds that the prohibition on the use of public resources for campaign purposes serves an important purpose, but that the period prohibiting state legislators from communicating with constituents at public expense is unnecessary once the election, and the campaign itself, has ended. Furthermore, the delay in constituent outreach after the election only hinders a legislator's ability to quickly and effectively respond to requests and keep the public informed about current state issues, and the various deadlines relating to mailed, emailed, and website communications are confusing and need to be harmonized. For these reasons, the legislature intends to change mailed, emailed, and website communication deadlines to the same time periods, in order to allow legislators to actively engage with the public on official legislative business in a timely and effective manner." [
2017 c 7 s 1
.]
Effective date
—
2017 c 7:
"This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [March 31, 2017]." [
2017 c 7 s 4
.]
Effective date
—
2011 c 60:
See note following RCW 29B.20.030
.
Effective date
—
1995 c 397:
See note following RCW 29B.40.020
.
RCW 42.52.185
Restrictions on mailings by legislators.
(Effective until January 1, 2026.)
(1) During the period beginning on the first day of the declaration of candidacy filing period specified in RCW 29A.24.050
in the year of a general election for a state legislator's election to office and continuing through the date of certification of the general election, the legislator may not mail, either by regular mail or email, to a constituent at public expense a letter, newsletter, brochure, or other piece of literature, except for routine legislative correspondence, such as scheduling, and the legislator may, by mail or email, send an individual letter to (a) an individual constituent who has contacted the legislator regarding the subject matter of the letter during the legislator's current term of office; (b) an individual constituent who holds a governmental office with jurisdiction over the subject matter of the letter; or (c) an individual constituent who has received an award or honor of extraordinary distinction of a type that is sufficiently infrequent to be noteworthy to a reasonable person including, but not limited to: (i) An international or national award such as the Nobel prize or the Pulitzer prize; (ii) a state award such as Washington scholar; (iii) an Eagle Scout award; and (iv) a Medal of Honor.
(2) A violation of this section constitutes use of the facilities of a public office for the purpose of assisting a campaign under RCW 42.52.180
.
(3) The house of representatives and senate shall specifically limit expenditures per member for the total cost of mailings. Those costs include, but are not limited to, production costs, printing costs, and postage costs. The limits imposed under this subsection apply only to the total expenditures on mailings per member and not to any categorical cost within the total.
(4) For purposes of this section:
(a) "Legislator" means a legislator who is a "candidate," as defined in RCW 42.17A.005, for any public office. "Legislator" does not include a member of the legislature who has announced their retirement from elected public office and who does not file a declaration of candidacy by the end of the candidacy filing period specified in RCW 29A.24.050
.
(b) Persons residing outside the legislative district represented by the legislator are not considered to be constituents, but students, military personnel, or others temporarily employed outside of the district who normally reside in the district are considered to be constituents.
[
2022 c 37 s 4
;
2017 c 7 s 3
;
2011 c 60 s 31
;
2008 c 39 s 2
;
1997 c 320 s 1
;
1995 c 397 s 5
;
1993 c 2 s 25
(Initiative Measure No. 134, approved November 3, 1992). Formerly RCW 42.17.132
.]
NOTES:
Finding
—
Intent
—
Effective date
—
2017 c 7:
See notes following RCW 42.52.180
.
Effective date
—
2011 c 60:
See RCW 42.17A.919
.
Findings
—
Intent
—
2008 c 39:
"The legislature finds that the legislature's ability to communicate with its constituency is of the utmost importance in having a healthy representative democracy. It is the intent of the legislature to provide important information to constituents on an ongoing basis in order to truly be a government of the people and for the people. The legislature finds that this communication will only increase citizen access to legislative issues." [
2008 c 39 s 1
.]
PDF
RCW 42.52.185
Restrictions on mailings by legislators.
(Effective January 1, 2026.)
(1) During the period beginning on the first day of the declaration of candidacy filing period specified in RCW 29A.24.050
in the year of a general election for a state legislator's election to office and continuing through the date of certification of the general election, the legislator may not mail, either by regular mail or email, to a constituent at public expense a letter, newsletter, brochure, or other piece of literature, except for routine legislative correspondence, such as scheduling, and the legislator may, by mail or email, send an individual letter to (a) an individual constituent who has contacted the legislator regarding the subject matter of the letter during the legislator's current term of office; (b) an individual constituent who holds a governmental office with jurisdiction over the subject matter of the letter; or (c) an individual constituent who has received an award or honor of extraordinary distinction of a type that is sufficiently infrequent to be noteworthy to a reasonable person including, but not limited to: (i) An international or national award such as the Nobel prize or the Pulitzer prize; (ii) a state award such as Washington scholar; (iii) an Eagle Scout award; and (iv) a Medal of Honor.
(2) A violation of this section constitutes use of the facilities of a public office for the purpose of assisting a campaign under RCW 42.52.180
.
(3) The house of representatives and senate shall specifically limit expenditures per member for the total cost of mailings. Those costs include, but are not limited to, production costs, printing costs, and postage costs. The limits imposed under this subsection apply only to the total expenditures on mailings per member and not to any categorical cost within the total.
(4) For purposes of this section:
(a) "Legislator" means a legislator who is a "candidate," as defined in RCW 29B.10.090, for any public office. "Legislator" does not include a member of the legislature who has announced their retirement from elected public office and who does not file a declaration of candidacy by the end of the candidacy filing period specified in RCW 29A.24.050
.
(b) Persons residing outside the legislative district represented by the legislator are not considered to be constituents, but students, military personnel, or others temporarily employed outside of the district who normally reside in the district are considered to be constituents.
[
2024 c 164 s 516
;
2022 c 37 s 4
;
2017 c 7 s 3
;
2011 c 60 s 31
;
2008 c 39 s 2
;
1997 c 320 s 1
;
1995 c 397 s 5
;
1993 c 2 s 25
(Initiative Measure No. 134, approved November 3, 1992). Formerly RCW 42.17.132
.]
NOTES:
Intent
—
Construction
—
Rules remain valid
—
Effective date
—
2024 c 164:
See notes following RCW 29B.10.010
.
Finding
—
Intent
—
Effective date
—
2017 c 7:
See notes following RCW 42.52.180
.
Effective date
—
2011 c 60:
See note following RCW 29B.20.030
.
Findings
—
Intent
—
2008 c 39:
"The legislature finds that the legislature's ability to communicate with its constituency is of the utmost importance in having a healthy representative democracy. It is the intent of the legislature to provide important information to constituents on an ongoing basis in order to truly be a government of the people and for the people. The legislature finds that this communication will only increase citizen access to legislative issues." [
2008 c 39 s 1
.]
Effective date
—
1995 c 397:
See note following RCW 29B.40.020
.
Short title
—
1993 c 2:
See note following RCW 29B.40.010
.
RCW 42.52.187
Letters of recommendation or congratulations by legislators.
It is not a violation of this chapter for a legislator to send by mail or email:
(1) A letter of recommendation on behalf of an individual constituent if the constituent has requested the letter;
(2) A congratulatory letter to an individual constituent who has received an award or honor of extraordinary distinction of a type that is sufficiently infrequent to be noteworthy to a reasonable person including, but not limited to: (a) An international or national award such as the Nobel prize or the Pulitzer prize; (b) a state award such as Washington scholar; (c) an Eagle Scout award; or (d) a Medal of Honor; or
(3) Except when under a mailing restriction as provided in RCW 42.52.185, a congratulatory letter to an individual constituent who has received an honor or award if the individual or a third party on the individual's behalf has requested the letter.
[
2023 c 226 s 1
.]
RCW 42.52.190
Investments.
(1) Except for permissible investments as defined in this section, no state officer or state employee of any agency responsible for the investment of funds, who acts in a decision-making, advisory, or policy-influencing capacity with respect to investments, may have a direct or indirect interest in any property, security, equity, or debt instrument of a person, without prior written approval of the agency.
(2) Agencies responsible for the investment of funds shall adopt policies governing approval of investments and establishing criteria to be considered in the approval process. Criteria shall include the relationship between the proposed investment and investments held or under consideration by the state, the size and timing of the proposed investment, access by the state officer or state employee to nonpublic information relative to the proposed investment, and the availability of the investment in the public market. Agencies responsible for the investment of funds also shall adopt policies consistent with this chapter governing use by their officers and employees of financial information acquired by virtue of their state positions. A violation of such policies adopted to implement this subsection shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
(3) As used in this section, "permissible investments" means any mutual fund, deposit account, certificate of deposit, or money market fund maintained with a bank, broker, or other financial institution, a security publicly traded in an organized market if the interest in the security at acquisition is ten thousand dollars or less, or an interest in real estate, except if the real estate interest is in or with a party in whom the agency holds an investment.
[
1994 c 154 s 119
.]
RCW 42.52.200
Agency rules.
(1) Each agency may adopt rules consistent with law, for use within the agency to protect against violations of this chapter.
(2) Each agency proposing to adopt rules under this section shall forward the rules to the appropriate ethics board before they may take effect. The board may submit comments to the agency regarding the proposed rules.
(3) This section applies to institutions of higher education only to the extent their activities are not subject to RCW 42.52.220
.
[
2022 c 173 s 2
;
2005 c 106 s 3
;
1994 c 154 s 120
.]
RCW 42.52.220
Universities and state board for community and technical colleges
—
Administrative processes.
(1) Consistent with the state policy to encourage basic and applied scientific research by the state's research universities as stated in RCW 28B.140.005, and consistent with the expectations of university faculty to produce, publish, and disseminate research and scholarship, each university and the state board for community and technical colleges may develop, adopt, and implement one or more written administrative processes that shall apply in place of the obligations imposed on institutions of higher education, faculty, and university research employees under RCW 42.52.030, 42.52.040, 42.52.080, 42.52.110, 42.52.120, 42.52.130, 42.52.150, and
42.52.160
. The institutions of higher education shall coordinate on the development of administrative processes to ensure the processes are comparable. Each policy shall apply upon approval by boards of trustees or regents for the state universities, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College, or by the state board for community and technical colleges. Each board of trustees or regents and the state board for community and technical colleges must provide the executive ethics board with a copy of each institution's policy upon approval. A faculty member or university research employee in compliance with the processes authorized in this section shall be deemed to be in compliance with RCW 42.52.030, 42.52.040, 42.52.080, 42.52.110, 42.52.120, 42.52.130, 42.52.150, and
42.52.160
.
(2) The executive ethics board shall enforce activity subject to the written approval processes under this section, as provided in RCW 42.52.360
.
[
2025 c 377 s 15
;
2022 c 173 s 3
;
2005 c 106 s 4
.]
RCW 42.52.310
Legislative ethics board.
(1) The legislative ethics board is created, composed of nine members, selected as follows:
(a) Two senators, one from each of the two largest caucuses, appointed by the president of the senate;
(b) Two members of the house of representatives, one from each of the two largest caucuses, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
(c) Five citizen members:
(i) One citizen member chosen by the governor from a list of three individuals submitted by each of the four legislative caucuses; and
(ii) One citizen member selected by three of the four other citizen members of the legislative ethics board.
(2) Except for initial members and members completing partial terms, nonlegislative members shall serve a single five-year term.
(3) No more than three of the public members may be identified with the same political party.
(4) Terms of initial nonlegislative board members shall be staggered as follows: One member shall be appointed to a one-year term; one member shall be appointed to a two-year term; one member shall be appointed to a three-year term; one member shall be appointed to a four-year term; and one member shall be appointed for a five-year term.
(5) A vacancy on the board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
(6) Legislative members shall serve two-year terms, from January 31st of an odd-numbered year until January 31st of the next odd-numbered year.
(7) Each member shall serve for the term of his or her appointment and until his or her successor is appointed.
(8) The citizen members shall annually select a chair from among themselves.
[
1994 c 154 s 201
.]
RCW 42.52.320
Authority of legislative ethics board.
(1) The legislative ethics board shall enforce this chapter and rules adopted under it with respect to members and employees of the legislature.
(2) The legislative ethics board shall:
(a) Develop educational materials and training with regard to legislative ethics for legislators and legislative employees;
(b) Issue advisory opinions;
(c) Adopt rules or policies governing the conduct of business by the board, and adopt rules defining working hours for purposes of RCW 42.52.180
and where otherwise authorized under chapter 154, Laws of 1994;
(d) Investigate, hear, and determine complaints by any person or on its own motion;
(e) Impose sanctions including reprimands and monetary penalties;
(f) Recommend suspension or removal to the appropriate legislative entity, or recommend prosecution to the appropriate authority; and
(g) Establish criteria regarding the levels of civil penalties appropriate for different types of violations of this chapter and rules adopted under it.
(3) The board may:
(a) Issue subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of documentary evidence relating to any matter under examination by the board or involved in any hearing;
(b) Administer oaths and affirmations;
(c) Examine witnesses; and
(d) Receive evidence.
[
2025 c 377 s 16
;
1994 c 154 s 202
.]
RCW 42.52.330
Interpretation.
By constitutional design, the legislature consists of citizen-legislators who bring to bear on the legislative process their individual experience and expertise. The provisions of this chapter shall be interpreted in light of this constitutional principle.
[
1994 c 154 s 203
.]
RCW 42.52.350
Executive ethics board.
(1) The executive ethics board is created, composed of five members, appointed by the governor as follows:
(a) One member shall be a classified service employee as defined in chapter
41.06
RCW;
(b) One member shall be a state officer or state employee in an exempt position;
(c) One member shall be a citizen selected from a list of three names submitted by the attorney general;
(d) One member shall be a citizen selected from a list of three names submitted by the state auditor; and
(e) One member shall be a citizen selected at large by the governor.
(2) Except for initial members and members completing partial terms, members shall serve a single five-year term.
(3) No more than three members may be identified with the same political party.
(4) Terms of initial board members shall be staggered as follows: One member shall be appointed to a one-year term; one member shall be appointed to a two-year term; one member shall be appointed to a three-year term; one member shall be appointed to a four-year term; and one member shall be appointed to a five-year term.
(5) A vacancy on the board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
(6) Each member shall serve for the term of his or her appointment and until his or her successor is appointed.
(7) The members shall annually select a chair from among themselves.
(8) Staff shall be provided by the office of the attorney general.
[
1994 c 154 s 205
.]
RCW 42.52.360
Authority of executive ethics board.
(1) The executive ethics board shall enforce this chapter and rules adopted under it with respect to statewide elected officers and all other officers and employees in the executive branch, boards and commissions, and institutions of higher education.
(2) The executive ethics board shall enforce this chapter with regard to the activities of institution of higher education faculty and research employees as provided in this subsection.
(a) With respect to compliance with RCW 42.52.030, 42.52.110, 42.52.130, *
42.52.140, and
42.52.150, the administrative process for university research employees shall be consistent with and adhere to no less than the current standards in regulations of the United States public health service and the office of the secretary of the department of health and human services in Title 42 C.F.R. Part 50, Subpart F relating to promotion of objectivity in research.
(b) With respect to compliance with RCW 42.52.040, 42.52.080, and
42.52.120, the administrative process shall include a comprehensive system for the disclosure, review, and approval of outside work activities by institution of higher education faculty and research employees while assuring that such employees are fulfilling their employment obligations to the institution of higher education.
(c) With respect to compliance with RCW 42.52.160, the administrative process shall include reasonable determinations by the institution of higher education of:
(i) Acceptable private uses having de minimis costs to the institution of higher education and a method for establishing fair and reasonable reimbursement charges for private uses the costs of which are in excess of de minimis; and
(ii) Acceptable private uses having more than de minimis costs to the institution of higher education, but which are performed as part of the faculty or research employee's duties or job requirements.
(3) The executive ethics board shall:
(a) Develop educational materials and training;
(b) Adopt rules and policies governing the conduct of business by the board, and adopt rules defining working hours for purposes of RCW 42.52.180
and where otherwise authorized under chapter 154, Laws of 1994;
(c) Issue advisory opinions;
(d) Investigate, hear, and determine complaints by any person or on its own motion;
(e) Impose sanctions including reprimands and monetary penalties;
(f) Recommend to the appropriate authorities suspension, removal from position, prosecution, or other appropriate remedy; and
(g) Establish criteria regarding the levels of civil penalties appropriate for violations of this chapter and rules adopted under it.
(4) The board may:
(a) Issue subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of documentary evidence relating to any matter under examination by the board or involved in any hearing;
(b) Administer oaths and affirmations;
(c) Examine witnesses; and
(d) Receive evidence.
(5) The board shall not delegate to the board's executive director its authority to issue advisories, advisory letters, or opinions.
(6) Except as provided in RCW 42.52.220, the executive ethics board may review and approve agency policies as provided for in this chapter.
(7) This section does not apply to state officers and state employees of the judicial branch.
[
2022 c 173 s 4
;
2013 c 190 s 3
;
2005 c 106 s 5
;
1994 c 154 s 206
.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note:
RCW 42.52.140
was repealed by
2025 c 377 s 29
.
Finding
—
2013 c 190:
See note following RCW 42.52.410
.
RCW 42.52.365
Executive branch agencies
—
Ethics advisors
—
Ethics training.
(1) Each executive branch agency shall designate an ethics advisor or advisors to assist the agency's employees in understanding their obligations under the ethics in public service act. Agencies shall inform the executive ethics board of their designated advisors. As funding permits and as determined by the executive ethics board and the agency head, the advisors shall receive regular ethics training.
(2) Executive branch officers and employees are encouraged to attend ethics training offered by the executive ethics board at least once every thirty-six months.
[
2013 c 190 s 6
.]
NOTES:
Finding
—
2013 c 190:
See note following RCW 42.52.410
.
RCW 42.52.370
Authority of commission on judicial conduct.
The commission on judicial conduct shall enforce this chapter and rules adopted under it with respect to state officers and employees of the judicial branch and may do so according to procedures prescribed in Article IV, section 31 of the state Constitution. In addition to the sanctions authorized in Article IV, section 31 of the state Constitution, the commission may impose sanctions authorized by this chapter.
[
1994 c 154 s 207
.]
RCW 42.52.380
Political activities of board members.
(Effective until January 1, 2026.)
(1) No member of the executive ethics board may (a) hold or campaign for partisan elective office other than the position of precinct committeeperson, or any full-time nonpartisan office; (b) be an officer of any political party or political committee as defined in chapter
42.17A
RCW other than the position of precinct committeeperson; (c) permit his or her name to be used, or make contributions, in support of or in opposition to any state candidate or state ballot measure; or (d) lobby or control, direct, or assist a lobbyist except that such member may appear before any committee of the legislature on matters pertaining to this chapter.
(2) No citizen member of the legislative ethics board may (a) hold or campaign for partisan elective office other than the position of precinct committeeperson, or any full-time nonpartisan office; (b) be an officer of any political party or political committee as defined in chapter
42.17A
RCW, other than the position of precinct committeeperson; (c) permit his or her name to be used, or make contributions, in support of or in opposition to any legislative candidate, any legislative caucus campaign committee that supports or opposes legislative candidates, or any political action committee that supports or opposes legislative candidates; or (d) engage in lobbying in the legislative branch under circumstances not exempt, under RCW 42.17A.610, from lobbyist registration and reporting.
(3) No citizen member of the legislative ethics board may hold or campaign for a seat in the state house of representatives or the state senate within two years of serving on the board if the citizen member opposes an incumbent who has been the respondent in a complaint before the board.
[
2011 c 60 s 32
;
1997 c 11 s 1
;
1994 c 154 s 208
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2011 c 60:
See RCW 42.17A.919
.
PDF
RCW 42.52.380
Political activities of board members.
(Effective January 1, 2026.)
(1) No member of the executive ethics board may (a) hold or campaign for partisan elective office other than the position of precinct committeeperson, or any full-time nonpartisan office; (b) be an officer of any political party or political committee as defined in Title
29B
RCW other than the position of precinct committeeperson; (c) permit his or her name to be used, or make contributions, in support of or in opposition to any state candidate or state ballot measure; or (d) lobby or control, direct, or assist a lobbyist except that such member may appear before any committee of the legislature on matters pertaining to this chapter.
(2) No citizen member of the legislative ethics board may (a) hold or campaign for partisan elective office other than the position of precinct committeeperson, or any full-time nonpartisan office; (b) be an officer of any political party or political committee as defined in Title
29B
RCW, other than the position of precinct committeeperson; (c) permit his or her name to be used, or make contributions, in support of or in opposition to any legislative candidate, any legislative caucus campaign committee that supports or opposes legislative candidates, or any political action committee that supports or opposes legislative candidates; or (d) engage in lobbying in the legislative branch under circumstances not exempt, under RCW 29B.50.040, from lobbyist registration and reporting.
(3) No citizen member of the legislative ethics board may hold or campaign for a seat in the state house of representatives or the state senate within two years of serving on the board if the citizen member opposes an incumbent who has been the respondent in a complaint before the board.
[
2024 c 164 s 517
;
2011 c 60 s 32
;
1997 c 11 s 1
;
1994 c 154 s 208
.]
NOTES:
Intent
—
Construction
—
Rules remain valid
—
Effective date
—
2024 c 164:
See notes following RCW 29B.10.010
.
Effective date
—
2011 c 60:
See note following RCW 29B.20.030
.
RCW 42.52.390
Hearing and subpoena authority.
Except as otherwise provided by law, the ethics boards may hold hearings, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, administer oaths, take the testimony of a person under oath, and in connection therewith, to require the production for examination of any books or papers relating to any matter under investigation or in question before the ethics board. The ethics board may make rules as to the issuance of subpoenas by individual members, as to service of complaints, decisions, orders, recommendations, and other process or papers of the ethics board.
[
1994 c 154 s 209
.]
RCW 42.52.400
Enforcement of subpoena authority.
In case of refusal to obey a subpoena issued to a person, the superior court of a county within the jurisdiction of which the investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this chapter is carried on or within the jurisdiction of which the person refusing to obey is found or resides or transacts business, upon application by the appropriate ethics board shall have jurisdiction to issue to the person an order requiring the person to appear before the ethics board or its member to produce evidence if so ordered, or to give testimony touching the matter under investigation or in question. Failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by the court as contempt.
[
1994 c 154 s 210
.]
RCW 42.52.410
Filing complaint
—
Whistleblower protection
—
Penalty for reprisal or retaliation.
(1) A person may, personally or by his or her attorney, make, sign, and file with the appropriate ethics board a complaint on a form provided by the appropriate ethics board. The complaint shall state the name of the person alleged to have violated this chapter or rules adopted under it and the particulars thereof, and contain such other information as may be required by the appropriate ethics board.
(2) If it has reason to believe that any person has been engaged or is engaging in a violation of this chapter or rules adopted under it, an ethics board may issue a complaint.
(3)(a) A state employee who files a complaint with the appropriate ethics board shall be afforded the protection afforded to a whistleblower under RCW 42.40.050
and
49.60.210
(2), subject to the limitations of RCW 42.40.035
and
42.40.910
. An agency, manager, or supervisor may not retaliate against a state employee who, after making a reasonable attempt to ascertain the correctness of the information furnished, files a complaint with the appropriate ethics board.
(b) A state employee may not be denied the protections in chapter
42.40
RCW even if the ethics board denies an investigation of the complaint.
(4) If a determination is made that a reprisal or retaliatory action has been taken against the state employee, the retaliator may be subject to a civil penalty of up to five thousand dollars.
[
2013 c 190 s 2
;
1994 c 154 s 211
.]
NOTES:
Finding
—
2013 c 190:
"The legislature finds that ensuring public trust in government is a priority. The public expects its elected officials and state employees to adhere to the highest ethical standards during their service, and this includes a commitment to full and independent investigations, with proper penalties, in cases where the ethics in public service act is violated." [
2013 c 190 s 1
.]
RCW 42.52.420
Investigation.
(1) After the filing of any complaint, except as provided in RCW 42.52.450, the staff of the appropriate ethics board shall investigate the complaint. The ethics board may request the assistance of the office of the attorney general or a contract investigator in conducting its investigation.
(2) The results of the investigation shall be reduced to writing and the staff shall either make a determination that the complaint should be dismissed pursuant to RCW 42.52.425, or recommend to the board that there is or that there is not reasonable cause to believe that a violation of this chapter or rules adopted under it has been or is being committed.
(3) The board's determination on reasonable cause shall be provided to the complainant and to the person named in such complaint.
(4) The identity of a person filing a complaint under RCW 42.52.410
(1) is exempt from public disclosure, as provided in RCW 42.56.240
.
[
2013 c 190 s 4
;
2000 c 211 s 1
;
1994 c 154 s 212
.]
NOTES:
Finding
—
2013 c 190:
See note following RCW 42.52.410
.
RCW 42.52.425
Dismissal of complaint.
(1) Based on the investigation conducted under RCW 42.52.420
or
42.52.450, and subject to rules issued by each board, the board or the staff of the appropriate ethics board may issue an order of dismissal based on any of the following findings:
(a) Any violation that may have occurred is not within the jurisdiction of the board;
(b) The complaint is obviously unfounded or frivolous; or
(c) Any violation that may have occurred does not constitute a material violation because it was inadvertent and minor, or has been cured, and, after consideration of all of the circumstances, further proceedings would not serve the purposes of this chapter.
(2) Written notice of the determination under subsection (1) of this section shall be provided to the complainant, respondent, and the board. The written notice to the complainant shall include a statement of the complainant's right to appeal to the board under subsection (3) of this section if the dismissal order was issued by staff.
(3) In the event that a complaint is dismissed by staff under this section, the complainant may request that the board review the action. Following review, the board shall:
(a) Affirm the staff dismissal;
(b) Direct the staff to conduct further investigation; or
(c) Issue a determination that there is reasonable cause to believe that a violation has been or is being committed.
(4) The board's decision under subsection (3) of this section shall be reduced to writing and provided to the complainant and the respondent.
[
2005 c 116 s 1
;
2000 c 211 s 2
.]
RCW 42.52.430
Public hearing
—
Findings.
(1) If the ethics board determines there is reasonable cause under RCW 42.52.420
that a violation of this chapter or rules adopted under it occurred, a public hearing on the merits of the complaint shall be held.
(2) The ethics board shall designate the location of the hearing. The case in support of the complaint shall be presented at the hearing by staff of the ethics board.
(3) The respondent shall file a written answer to the complaint and appear at the hearing in person or otherwise, with or without counsel, and submit testimony and be fully heard. The respondent has the right to cross-examine witnesses.
(4) Testimony taken at the hearing shall be under oath and recorded.
(5) If, based upon a preponderance of the evidence, the ethics board finds that the respondent has violated this chapter or rules adopted under it, the board shall file an order stating findings of fact and enforcement action as authorized under this chapter.
(6) If, upon all the evidence, the ethics board finds that the respondent has not engaged in an alleged violation of this chapter or rules adopted under it, the ethics board shall state findings of fact and shall similarly issue and file an order dismissing the complaint.
(7) If the board makes a determination that there is not reasonable cause to believe that a violation has been or is being committed or has made a finding under subsection (6) of this section, the attorney general shall represent the officer or employee in any action subsequently commenced based on the alleged facts in the complaint.
[
1994 c 154 s 213
.]
RCW 42.52.440
Review of order.
Except as otherwise provided by law, reconsideration or judicial review of an ethics board's order that a violation of this chapter or rules adopted under it has occurred shall be governed by the provisions of chapter
34.05
RCW applicable to review of adjudicative proceedings.
[
1994 c 154 s 214
.]
RCW 42.52.450
Complaint against legislator or statewide elected official.
(1) If a complaint alleges a violation of RCW 42.52.180
by a legislator or statewide elected official other than the attorney general, the attorney general shall, if requested by the appropriate ethics board, conduct the investigation under RCW 42.52.420
and recommend action.
(2) If a complaint alleges a violation of RCW 42.52.180
by the attorney general, the state auditor shall conduct the investigation under RCW 42.52.420
and recommend action to the appropriate ethics board.
[
2005 c 116 s 2
;
1994 c 154 s 215
.]
RCW 42.52.460
Citizen actions.
Any person who has notified the appropriate ethics board and the attorney general in writing that there is reason to believe that RCW 42.52.180
is being or has been violated may, in the name of the state, bring a citizen action for any of the actions authorized under this chapter. A citizen action may be brought only if the appropriate ethics board or the attorney general have failed to commence an action under this chapter within forty-five days after notice from the person, the person has thereafter notified the appropriate ethics board and the attorney general that the person will commence a citizen's action within ten days upon their failure to commence an action, and the appropriate ethics board and the attorney general have in fact failed to bring an action within ten days of receipt of the second notice. An action is deemed to have been commenced when the appropriate ethics board or the board's executive director accepts a complaint for filing and initiates a preliminary investigation.
If the person who brings the citizen's action prevails, the judgment awarded shall escheat to the state, but the person shall be entitled to be reimbursed by the state of Washington for costs and attorneys' fees incurred. If a citizen's action that the court finds was brought without reasonable cause is dismissed, the court may order the person commencing the action to pay all costs of trial and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by the defendant.
Upon commencement of a citizen action under this section, at the request of a state officer or state employee who is a defendant, the office of the attorney general shall represent the defendant if the attorney general finds that the defendant's conduct complied with this chapter and was within the scope of employment.
[
2013 c 190 s 5
;
1994 c 154 s 216
.]
NOTES:
Finding
—
2013 c 190:
See note following RCW 42.52.410
.
RCW 42.52.470
Referral for enforcement.
As appropriate, an ethics board may refer a complaint:
(1) To an agency for initial investigation and proposed resolution which shall be referred back to the appropriate ethics board for action; or
(2) To the attorney general's office or prosecutor for appropriate action.
[
1994 c 154 s 217
.]
RCW 42.52.480
Action by boards.
(1) Except as otherwise provided by law, an ethics board may order payment of the following amounts if it finds a violation of this chapter or rules adopted under it after a hearing under RCW 42.52.370
or other applicable law:
(a) Any damages sustained by the state that are caused by the conduct constituting the violation;
(b) From each such person, a civil penalty of up to five thousand dollars per violation or three times the economic value of any thing received or sought in violation of this chapter or rules adopted under it, whichever is greater; and
(c) Costs, including reasonable investigative expenses.
(2) Damages under this section may be enforced in the same manner as a judgment in a civil case.
[
2025 c 377 s 17
;
1994 c 154 s 218
.]
RCW 42.52.490
Action by attorney general.
(1) Upon a written determination by the attorney general that the action of an ethics board was clearly erroneous or if requested by an ethics board, the attorney general may bring a civil action in the superior court of the county in which the violation is alleged to have occurred against a state officer, state employee, former state officer, former state employee, or other person who has violated or knowingly assisted another person in violating any of the provisions of this chapter or the rules adopted under it. In such action the attorney general may recover the following amounts on behalf of the state of Washington:
(a) Any damages sustained by the state that are caused by the conduct constituting the violation;
(b) From each such person, a civil penalty of up to five thousand dollars per violation or three times the economic value of any thing received or sought in violation of this chapter or the rules adopted under it, whichever is greater; and
(c) Costs, including reasonable investigative expenses.
(2) In any civil action brought by the attorney general upon the basis that the attorney general has determined that the board's action was clearly erroneous, the court shall not proceed with the action unless the attorney general has first shown, and the court has found, that the action of the board was clearly erroneous.
[
2025 c 377 s 18
;
1994 c 154 s 219
.]
RCW 42.52.500
Optional hearings by administrative law judge.
If an ethics board finds that there is reasonable cause to believe that a violation has occurred, the board shall consider the possibility of the alleged violator having to pay a total amount of penalty and costs of more than five hundred dollars. Based on such consideration, the board may give the person who is the subject of the complaint the option to have an administrative law judge conduct the hearing and rule on procedural and evidentiary matters. The board may also, on its own initiative, provide for retaining an administrative law judge. An ethics board may not require total payment of more than five hundred dollars in penalty and costs in any case where an administrative law judge is not used and the board did not give such option to the person who is the subject of the complaint.
[
1994 c 154 s 220
.]
RCW 42.52.510
Rescission of state action.
(1) The attorney general may, on request of the governor or the appropriate agency, and in addition to other available rights of rescission, bring an action in the superior court of Thurston county to cancel or rescind state action taken by a state officer or state employee, without liability to the state of Washington, contractual or otherwise, if the governor or ethics board has reason to believe that: (a) A violation of this chapter or rules adopted under it has substantially influenced the state action, and (b) the interest of the state requires the cancellation or rescission. The governor may suspend state action pending the determination of the merits of the controversy under this section. The court may permit persons affected by the governor's actions to post an adequate bond pending such resolution to ensure compliance by the defendant with the final judgment, decree, or other order of the court.
(2) This section does not limit other available remedies.
[
1994 c 154 s 221
.]
RCW 42.52.520
Disciplinary action.
(1) A violation of this chapter or rules adopted under it is grounds for disciplinary action.
(2) The procedures for any such action shall correspond to those applicable for disciplinary action for employee misconduct generally; for those state officers and state employees not specifically exempted in chapter
41.06
RCW, the rules set forth in chapter
41.06
RCW shall apply. Any action against the state officer or state employee shall be subject to judicial review to the extent provided by law for disciplinary action for misconduct of state officers and state employees of the same category and grade.
[
1994 c 154 s 222
;
1969 ex.s. c 234 s 26
. Formerly RCW 42.18.260
.]
RCW 42.52.530
Additional investigative authority.
In addition to other authority under this chapter, the attorney general may investigate persons not under the jurisdiction of an ethics board whom the attorney general has reason to believe were involved in transactions in violation of this chapter or rules adopted under it.
[
1994 c 154 s 223
.]
RCW 42.52.540
Limitations period.
Any action taken under this chapter must be commenced within five years from the date of the violation. However, if it is shown that the violation was not discovered because of concealment by the person charged, then the action must be commenced within two years from the date the violation was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered: (1) By any person with direct or indirect supervisory responsibilities over the person who allegedly committed the violation; or (2) if no person has direct or indirect supervisory authority over the person who committed the violation, by the appropriate ethics board.
[
1994 c 154 s 224
.]
RCW 42.52.550
Compensation of ethics boards.
The citizen members of the legislative ethics board and the members of the executive ethics board shall be compensated as provided in RCW 43.03.250
and reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050
and
43.03.060
. Legislator members of the legislative ethics board shall be reimbursed as provided in RCW 44.04.120
.
[
1994 c 154 s 227
.]
RCW 42.52.560
Communications from an employee organization or charitable organization
—
Distribution by state employee.
(Effective until January 1, 2026.)
(1) Nothing in this chapter prohibits a state employee from distributing communications from an employee organization or charitable organization to other state employees if the communications do not support or oppose a ballot proposition or candidate for federal, state, or local public office. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize any lobbying activity with public funds beyond the activity permitted by RCW 42.17A.635
.
(2) "Employee organization," for purposes of this section, means any organization, union, or association in which employees participate and that exists for the purpose of collective bargaining with employers or for the purpose of opposing collective bargaining or certification of a union.
[
2011 c 60 s 33
;
2006 c 217 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2011 c 60:
See RCW 42.17A.919
.
PDF
RCW 42.52.560
Communications from an employee organization or charitable organization
—
Distribution by state employee.
(Effective January 1, 2026.)
(1) Nothing in this chapter prohibits a state employee from distributing communications from an employee organization or charitable organization to other state employees if the communications do not support or oppose a ballot proposition or candidate for federal, state, or local public office. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize any lobbying activity with public funds beyond the activity permitted by RCW 29B.50.090
.
(2) "Employee organization," for purposes of this section, means any organization, union, or association in which employees participate and that exists for the purpose of collective bargaining with employers or for the purpose of opposing collective bargaining or certification of a union.
[
2024 c 164 s 518
;
2011 c 60 s 33
;
2006 c 217 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Intent
—
Construction
—
Rules remain valid
—
Effective date
—
2024 c 164:
See notes following RCW 29B.10.010
.
Effective date
—
2011 c 60:
See note following RCW 29B.20.030
.
RCW 42.52.570
Private business activity policy
—
Department of fish and wildlife
—
Parks and recreation commission.
(1) The department of fish and wildlife and the parks and recreation commission may approve private business activity in state-owned housing provided under Title
77
RCW or chapter
79A.05
RCW.
(2) Prior to granting approval of private business activity in state-owned housing, the department of fish and wildlife and the parks and recreation commission must adopt a private business activity policy that is approved by the executive ethics board.
(a) The private business activity policy may only authorize private business activity by the resident state employee while the employee is off duty or the employee's spouse who is approved for residency in the agency housing or the employee's children.
(b) The private business activity policy may not allow private business activity that negatively impacts the agency's operations. For the purposes of this section, "negatively impacts" includes but is not limited to: (i) Negative impacts to visitors' services or access; (ii) in-person visits to state-owned housing for the purpose of transacting business that negatively impacts agency operations; (iii) the incurrence of additional expenses by the state; (iv) the use of signage in the state-owned residence; (v) advertising on state-owned property; or (vi) an appearance of state endorsement of the private business activity.
(3) The private business activity must comply with all other local, state, and federal laws.
(4) All approvals of a private business activity in state-owned housing must be by the agency director or designee in writing.
(5) A state employee is presumed not to be in violation of RCW 42.52.070
or
42.52.160
if the employee or the employee's spouse or child complies with this section.
[
2008 c 247 s 1
.]
RCW 42.52.575
Information about scholarship opportunities.
This chapter does not prohibit the department of labor and industries from providing information about scholarship opportunities offered by nonprofit organizations and available to children and spouses of workers who suffered an injury in the course of employment resulting in death or permanent total disability. The department of labor and industries may, in its sole discretion, provide information about one or more scholarship opportunities. The cost of printing and inserting materials, any additional mailing costs, and any other related costs must be borne by the scholarship organization.
[
2013 c 134 s 1
.]
RCW 42.52.800
Exemptions
—
Solicitation for state capitol historic furnishings and preservation and restoration of state legislative building.
(1) When soliciting charitable gifts, grants, or donations solely for the limited purposes of RCW 27.48.040, members of the capitol furnishings preservation committee are exempt from the laws of this chapter.
(2) When soliciting charitable gifts, grants, or donations solely for the limited purposes of RCW 27.48.050
or when assisting a nonprofit foundation established for the purposes of RCW 27.48.050, state officers and state employees are exempt from the laws of this chapter.
[
2002 c 167 s 3
;
1999 c 343 s 4
.]
NOTES:
Findings
—
Effective date
—
2002 c 167:
See notes following RCW 27.48.050
.
Findings
—
Purpose
—
1999 c 343:
See note following RCW 27.48.040
.
RCW 42.52.802
Exemption
—
Solicitation for Washington state legacy project, state library, and archives account.
This chapter does not prohibit the secretary of state or a designee from soliciting and accepting contributions to the Washington state legacy project, state library, and archives account created in RCW 43.07.380
.
[
2008 c 222 s 14
;
2003 c 164 s 4
.]
NOTES:
Purpose
—
2008 c 222:
See note following RCW 44.04.320
.
RCW 42.52.8021
Exemption
—
Solicitation for Washington state flag account.
This chapter does not prohibit the secretary of state or the secretary of state's designee from soliciting and accepting contributions to the Washington state flag account created in *RCW 43.07.388
.
[
2009 c 71 s 3
.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note:
RCW 43.07.388
was repealed by
2025 c 399 s 1
.
RCW 42.52.8022
Exemption
—
Informational or educational meetings regarding legislative issues.
This chapter does not prohibit state employees from attending informational or educational meetings regarding legislative issues with a legislator or other elected official. It is not a violation of this chapter to hold such meetings in public facilities, including state-owned or leased buildings. This section is not intended to allow the use of state facilities for a political campaign or for the promotion of or opposition to a ballot proposition.
[
2011 c 63 s 1
.]
RCW 42.52.8023
Exemption
—
Gina Grant Bull memorial legislative page scholarship account.
This chapter does not prohibit the secretary of the senate, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, or their designee from soliciting and accepting contributions to the Gina Grant Bull memorial legislative page scholarship account created in RCW 44.04.380
. Furthermore, this chapter does not prohibit any legislative member or legislative employee from soliciting gifts for the Gina Grant Bull memorial legislative page scholarship account.
[
2017 c 322 s 4
.]
RCW 42.52.8024
Exemption
—
Rosa Franklin legislative internship program scholarship.
This chapter does not prohibit the secretary of the senate, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, or their designee from soliciting and accepting contributions to the Rosa Franklin legislative internship program scholarship account created in RCW 44.04.410
. Furthermore, this chapter does not prohibit any legislative member or legislative employee from soliciting gifts for the Rosa Franklin legislative internship program scholarship account.
[
2021 c 108 s 4
.]
RCW 42.52.803
Exemption
—
Solicitation for legislative oral history account.
This chapter does not prohibit the secretary of the senate, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, or their designee from soliciting and accepting contributions to the legislative oral history account created in RCW 44.04.345
.
[
2008 c 222 s 2
.]
NOTES:
Purpose
—
2008 c 222:
See note following RCW 44.04.320
.
RCW 42.52.804
Exemption
—
Health profession board or commission
—
Professional opinions.
Members of a health profession board or commission as identified in RCW 18.130.040
(2)(b) may express their professional opinions to an elected official about the work of the board or commission on which the member serves, even if those opinions differ from the department of health's official position. Such communication shall be to inform the elected official and not to lobby in support or opposition to any initiative to the legislature.
[
2008 c 134 s 15
.]
NOTES:
Finding
—
Intent
—
Severability
—
2008 c 134:
See notes following RCW 18.130.020
.
RCW 42.52.805
Solicitation for charitable activities of executive branch state employees
—
Limitations
—
Definitions.
(1) When soliciting gifts, grants, or donations solely to support the charitable activities of executive branch state employees conducted pursuant to RCW 9.46.0209, the executive branch state officers and executive branch state employees are presumed not to be in violation of the solicitation and receipt of gift provisions in RCW 42.52.150
(3). However, the gifts, grants, or donations must only be solicited from state employees or businesses and organizations that have no business dealings with the soliciting employee's agency. For the purposes of this subsection, "business dealings" includes being subject to regulation by the agency, having a contractual relationship with the agency, and purchasing goods or services from the agency.
(2) For purposes of this section, activities are deemed to be charitable if the activities are devoted to the purposes authorized under RCW 9.46.0209
for charitable and nonprofit organizations listed in that section, or are in support of the activities of those charitable or nonprofit organizations.
[
2025 c 377 s 19
;
2007 c 452 s 2
.]
RCW 42.52.806
Exemption
—
Solicitation for Billy Frank Jr. national statuary hall collection fund.
(Effective until January 1, 2026.)
This chapter does not prohibit the members of the Billy Frank Jr. national statuary hall selection committee, members of the legislature, when outside the period in which solicitation of contributions is prohibited by RCW 42.17A.560, or employees of the Washington state historical society from soliciting contributions for the purposes established in chapter 20, Laws of 2021, and for deposit into the Billy Frank Jr. national statuary hall collection fund created in RCW 43.08.800
.
[
2023 c 387 s 4
.]
PDF
RCW 42.52.806
Exemption
—
Solicitation for Billy Frank Jr. national statuary hall collection fund.
(Effective January 1, 2026.)
This chapter does not prohibit the members of the Billy Frank Jr. national statuary hall selection committee, members of the legislature, when outside the period in which solicitation of contributions is prohibited by RCW 29B.45.020, or employees of the Washington state historical society from soliciting contributions for the purposes established in chapter 20, Laws of 2021, and for deposit into the Billy Frank Jr. national statuary hall collection fund created in RCW 43.08.800
.
[
2024 c 164 s 519
;
2023 c 387 s 4
.]
NOTES:
Intent
—
Construction
—
Rules remain valid
—
Effective date
—
2024 c 164:
See notes following RCW 29B.10.010
.
RCW 42.52.807
Exemption
—
Advising on student athlete name, image, and likeness.
This chapter does not prohibit the use of public resources, including but not limited to the use of personnel, money, and property, by an employee of a state institution of higher education to benefit any student athlete in the advising, facilitation, acknowledgment, or education related to a matter involving the name[,] image[,] and likeness of such a student athlete or group of student athletes, or in relation to student athlete name[,] image[,] and likeness matters generally, so long as such resources are under the control or direction of such an employee. Any use of public resources must adhere to the rules established by the national, nonprofit member organization responsible for oversight of college sports at state institutions of higher education.
[
2024 c 33 s 1
.]
RCW 42.52.810
Solicitation for the legislative international trade account
—
Report.
(1) When soliciting charitable gifts, grants, or donations solely for the legislative international trade account created in RCW 43.15.050, the president of the senate is presumed not to be in violation of the solicitation and receipt of gift provisions in RCW 42.52.150
(3).
(2) When soliciting charitable gifts, grants, or donations solely for the legislative international trade account created in RCW 43.15.050, state officers and state employees are presumed not to be in violation of the solicitation and receipt of gift provisions in RCW 42.52.150
(3).
(3) An annual report of the legislative international trade account activities, including a list of receipts and expenditures, shall be published by the president of the senate and submitted to the house of representatives and the senate and be a public record for the purposes of RCW 42.56.070
.
[
2025 c 377 s 20
;
2005 c 274 s 293
;
2003 c 265 s 2
.]
RCW 42.52.820
Solicitation for hosting national legislative association conference.
When soliciting gifts, grants, or donations to host an official conference within the state of Washington of a national legislative association as approved by both the chief clerk and the secretary of the senate, designated legislative officials and designated legislative employees are presumed not to be in violation of the solicitation and receipt of gift provisions in this chapter. For the purposes of this section, any legislative association must include among its membership the Washington state legislature or individual legislators or legislative staff.
[
2003 1st sp.s. c 23 s 1
.]
RCW 42.52.821
Exemption
—
Solicitation to host conference of a national association.
When soliciting gifts, grants, or donations to host an official conference within the state of Washington of a national association as approved by the state treasurer, the treasurer and designated employees are presumed not to be in violation of the solicitation and receipt of gift provisions in this chapter.
[
2015 c 45 s 1
.]
RCW 42.52.822
Exemption
—
Solicitation for regional or national legislative association conferences.
(1) When soliciting gifts, grants, or donations to a regional or national legislative association for an official conference held outside the state of Washington, legislators who serve as elected leaders of the association and designated legislative employees are presumed not to be in violation of the solicitation and receipt of gift provisions of this chapter.
(2) For purposes of this section, any regional or national legislative association is any organization which:
(a) Exists for the purpose of supporting legislators in the execution of their official duties;
(b) Includes among its membership the Washington state legislature; and
(c) Is supported in part by the payment of annual dues by the Washington state legislature.
[
2023 c 91 s 1
.]
RCW 42.52.900
Legislative declaration.
Government derives its powers from the people. Ethics in government are the foundation on which the structure of government rests. State officials and employees of government hold a public trust that obligates them, in a special way, to honesty and integrity in fulfilling the responsibilities to which they are elected and appointed. Paramount in that trust is the principle that public office, whether elected or appointed, may not be used for personal gain or private advantage.
The citizens of the state expect all state officials and employees to perform their public responsibilities in accordance with the highest ethical and moral standards and to conduct the business of the state only in a manner that advances the public's interest. State officials and employees are subject to the sanctions of law and scrutiny of the media; ultimately, however, they are accountable to the people and must consider this public accountability as a particular obligation of the public service. Only when affairs of government are conducted, at all levels, with openness as provided by law and an unswerving commitment to the public good does government work as it should.
The obligations of government rest equally on the state's citizenry. The effectiveness of government depends, fundamentally, on the confidence citizens can have in the judgments and decisions of their elected representatives. Citizens, therefore, should honor and respect the principles and the spirit of representative democracy, recognizing that both elected and appointed officials, together with state employees, seek to carry out their public duties with professional skill and dedication to the public interest. Such service merits public recognition and support.
All who have the privilege of working for the people of Washington state can have but one aim: To give the highest public service to its citizens.
[
1994 c 154 s 1
.]
RCW 42.52.901
Liberal construction.
This chapter shall be construed liberally to effectuate its purposes and policy and to supplement existing laws as may relate to the same subject.
[
1994 c 154 s 301
.]
RCW 42.52.903
Serving on board, committee, or commission not prevented.
Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted to prevent a member of a board, committee, advisory commission, or other body required or permitted by statute to be appointed from any identifiable group or interest, from serving on such body in accordance with the intent of the legislature in establishing such body.
[
1969 ex.s. c 234 s 33
. Formerly RCW 42.18.330
.]
RCW 42.52.904
Effective date
—
1994 c 154.
Sections 101 through 121, 203, 204, 207 through 224, and 301 through 317 of this act shall take effect January 1, 1995.
[
1994 c 154 s 319
.]
RCW 42.52.906
Construction
—
Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships
—
2009 c 521.
For the purposes of this chapter, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registered domestic partnerships as well as to marital relationships and married persons, and references to dissolution of marriage shall apply equally to state registered domestic partnerships that have been terminated, dissolved, or invalidated, to the extent that such interpretation does not conflict with federal law. Where necessary to implement chapter 521, Laws of 2009, gender-specific terms such as husband and wife used in any statute, rule, or other law shall be construed to be gender neutral, and applicable to individuals in state registered domestic partnerships.
[
2009 c 521 s 105
.]