reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
WA Rev Code § 42.36.060 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies|Chapter 42.36 - Appearance of Fairness Doctrine—Limitations.|42.36.060 - Quasi-judicial proceedings—Ex parte communications prohibited, exceptions.

RCW 42.36.060 Quasi-judicial proceedings—Ex parte communications prohibited, exceptions.During the pendency of any quasi-judicial proceeding, no member of a decision-making body may engage in ex parte communications with opponents or proponents with respect to the proposal which is the subject of the proceeding unless that person:(1) Places on the record the substance of any written or oral ex parte communications concerning the decision of action; and(2) Provides that a public announcement of the content of the communication and of the parties' rights to rebut the substance of the communication shall be made at each hearing where action is considered or taken on the subject to which the communication related. This prohibition does not preclude a member of a decision-making body from seeking in a public hearing specific information or data from such parties relative to the decision if both the request and the results are a part of the record. Nor does such prohibition preclude correspondence between a citizen and his or her elected official if any such correspondence is made a part of the record when it pertains to the subject matter of a quasi-judicial proceeding.[ 1984 c 191 § 1; 1982 c 229 § 6.]
WA Rev Code § 42.36.070 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies|Chapter 42.36 - Appearance of Fairness Doctrine—Limitations.|42.36.070 - Quasi-judicial proceedings—Prior advisory proceedings.

RCW 42.36.070 Quasi-judicial proceedings—Prior advisory proceedings.Participation by a member of a decision-making body in earlier proceedings that result in an advisory recommendation to a decision-making body shall not disqualify that person from participating in any subsequent quasi-judicial proceeding.[ 1982 c 229 § 7.]
WA Rev Code § 42.36.080 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies|Chapter 42.36 - Appearance of Fairness Doctrine—Limitations.|42.36.080 - Disqualification based on doctrine—Time limitation for raising challenge.

RCW 42.36.080 Disqualification based on doctrine—Time limitation for raising challenge.Anyone seeking to rely on the appearance of fairness doctrine to disqualify a member of a decision-making body from participating in a decision must raise the challenge as soon as the basis for disqualification is made known to the individual. Where the basis is known or should reasonably have been known prior to the issuance of a decision and is not raised, it may not be relied on to invalidate the decision.[ 1982 c 229 § 8.]
WA Rev Code § 42.36.090 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies|Chapter 42.36 - Appearance of Fairness Doctrine—Limitations.|42.36.090 - Participation of challenged member of decision-making body.

RCW 42.36.090 Participation of challenged member of decision-making body.In the event of a challenge to a member or members of a decision-making body which would cause a lack of a quorum or would result in a failure to obtain a majority vote as required by law, any such challenged member(s) shall be permitted to fully participate in the proceeding and vote as though the challenge had not occurred, if the member or members publicly disclose the basis for disqualification prior to rendering a decision. Such participation shall not subject the decision to a challenge by reason of violation of the appearance of fairness doctrine.[ 1982 c 229 § 9.]
WA Rev Code § 42.36.100 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies|Chapter 42.36 - Appearance of Fairness Doctrine—Limitations.|42.36.100 - Judicial restriction of doctrine not prohibited—Construction of chapter.

RCW 42.36.100 Judicial restriction of doctrine not prohibited—Construction of chapter.Nothing in this chapter prohibits the restriction or elimination of the appearance of fairness doctrine by the appellate courts. Nothing in this chapter may be construed to expand the appearance of fairness doctrine.[ 1982 c 229 § 10.]
WA Rev Code § 42.36.110 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies|Chapter 42.36 - Appearance of Fairness Doctrine—Limitations.|42.36.110 - Right to fair hearing not impaired.

RCW 42.36.110 Right to fair hearing not impaired.Nothing in this chapter prohibits challenges to local land use decisions where actual violations of an individual's right to a fair hearing can be demonstrated.[ 1982 c 229 § 11.]
WA Rev Code § 42.40.010 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies|Chapter 42.40 - State Employee Whistleblower Protection.|42.40.010 - Policy.

RCW 42.40.010 Policy.It is the policy of the legislature that employees should be encouraged to disclose, to the extent not expressly prohibited by law, improper governmental actions, and it is the intent of the legislature to protect the rights of state employees making these disclosures, regardless of whether an investigation is initiated under RCW 42.40.040. It is also the policy of the legislature that employees should be encouraged to identify rules warranting review or provide information to the rules review committee, and it is the intent of the legislature to protect the rights of these employees.[ 2017 c 44 § 1; 1995 c 403 § 508; 1982 c 208 § 1.]NOTES:Findings—Short title—Intent—1995 c 403: See note following RCW 34.05.328.
WA Rev Code § 42.40.030 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies|Chapter 42.40 - State Employee Whistleblower Protection.|42.40.030 - Right to disclose improper governmental actions—Interference prohibited.

RCW 42.40.030 Right to disclose improper governmental actions—Interference prohibited.(1) An employee shall not directly or indirectly use or attempt to use the employee's official authority or influence for the purpose of intimidating, threatening, coercing, commanding, influencing, or attempting to intimidate, threaten, coerce, command, or influence any individual for the purpose of interfering with the right of the individual to: (a) Disclose to the auditor (or representative thereof) or other public official, as defined in RCW 42.40.020, information concerning improper governmental action; or (b) identify rules warranting review or provide information to the rules review committee.(2) Nothing in this section authorizes an individual to disclose information otherwise prohibited by law, except to the extent that information is necessary to substantiate the whistleblower complaint, in which case information may be disclosed to the auditor or public official, as defined in RCW 42.40.020, by the whistleblower for the limited purpose of providing information related to the complaint. Any information provided to the auditor or public official under the authority of this subsection may not be further disclosed.[ 2008 c 266 § 3; 1995 c 403 § 510; 1989 c 284 § 2; 1982 c 208 § 3.]NOTES:Findings—Intent—2008 c 266: See note following RCW 42.40.020.Findings—Short title—Intent—1995 c 403: See note following RCW 34.05.328.
WA Rev Code § 42.40.035 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies|Chapter 42.40 - State Employee Whistleblower Protection.|42.40.035 - Duty of correctness—Penalties for false information.

RCW 42.40.035 Duty of correctness—Penalties for false information.An employee must make a reasonable attempt to ascertain the correctness of the information furnished and may be subject to disciplinary actions, including, but not limited to, suspension or termination, for knowingly furnishing false information as determined by the employee's appointing authority.[ 1999 c 361 § 2.]
WA Rev Code § 42.40.050 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies|Chapter 42.40 - State Employee Whistleblower Protection.|42.40.050 - Retaliatory action against whistleblower—Remedies.

RCW 42.40.050 Retaliatory action against whistleblower—Remedies.(1)(a) Any person who is a whistleblower, as defined in RCW 42.40.020, and who has been subjected to workplace reprisal or retaliatory action is presumed to have established a cause of action for the remedies provided under chapter 49.60 RCW.(b) For the purpose of this section, "reprisal or retaliatory action" means, but is not limited to, any of the following:(i) Denial of adequate staff to perform duties;(ii) Frequent staff changes;(iii) Frequent and undesirable office changes;(iv) Refusal to assign meaningful work;(v) Unwarranted and unsubstantiated letters of reprimand or unsatisfactory performance evaluations;(vi) Demotion;(vii) Reduction in pay;(viii) Denial of promotion;(ix) Suspension;(x) Dismissal;(xi) Denial of employment;(xii) A supervisor or superior behaving in or encouraging coworkers to behave in a hostile manner toward the whistleblower;(xiii) A change in the physical location of the employee's workplace or a change in the basic nature of the employee's job, if either are in opposition to the employee's expressed wish;(xiv) Issuance of or attempt to enforce any nondisclosure policy or agreement in a manner inconsistent with prior practice; or(xv) Any other action that is inconsistent compared to actions taken before the employee engaged in conduct protected by this chapter, or compared to other employees who have not engaged in conduct protected by this chapter.(2) The agency presumed to have taken retaliatory action under subsection (1) of this section may rebut that presumption by proving by a preponderance of the evidence that there have been a series of documented personnel problems or a single, egregious event, or that the agency action or actions were justified by reasons unrelated to the employee's status as a whistleblower and that improper motive was not a substantial factor.(3) Nothing in this section prohibits an agency from making any decision exercising its authority to terminate, suspend, or discipline an employee who engages in workplace reprisal or retaliatory action against a whistleblower. However, the agency also shall implement any order under chapter 49.60 RCW (other than an order of suspension if the agency has terminated the retaliator).[ 2008 c 266 § 6; 1999 c 283 § 1; 1992 c 118 § 3; 1989 c 284 § 4; 1982 c 208 § 5.]NOTES:Findings—Intent—2008 c 266: See note following RCW 42.40.020.
WA Rev Code § 42.40.070 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies|Chapter 42.40 - State Employee Whistleblower Protection.|42.40.070 - Summary of chapter available to employees.

RCW 42.40.070 Summary of chapter available to employees.A written summary of this chapter and procedures for reporting improper governmental actions established by the auditor's office shall be made available by each department or agency of state government to each employee upon entering public employment. Such notices may be in agency internal newsletters, included with paychecks or stubs, sent via electronic mail to all employees, or sent by other means that are cost-effective and reach all employees of the government level, division, or subdivision. Employees shall be notified by each department or agency of state government each year of the procedures and protections under this chapter. The annual notices shall include a list of public officials, as defined in RCW 42.40.020, authorized to receive whistleblower reports. The list of public officials authorized to receive whistleblower reports shall also be prominently displayed in all agency offices.[ 2008 c 266 § 5; 1989 c 284 § 5; 1982 c 208 § 7.]NOTES:Findings—Intent—2008 c 266: See note following RCW 42.40.020.
WA Rev Code § 42.40.080 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies|Chapter 42.40 - State Employee Whistleblower Protection.|42.40.080 - Contracting for assistance.

RCW 42.40.080 Contracting for assistance.The auditor has the authority to contract for any assistance necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.[ 1999 c 361 § 4.]
WA Rev Code § 42.40.090 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies|Chapter 42.40 - State Employee Whistleblower Protection.|42.40.090 - Administrative costs.

RCW 42.40.090 Administrative costs.The cost of administering this chapter is funded through the auditing services revolving account created in RCW 43.09.410.[ 1999 c 361 § 5.]
WA Rev Code § 42.40.100 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies|Chapter 42.40 - State Employee Whistleblower Protection.|42.40.100 - Assertions against auditor.

RCW 42.40.100 Assertions against auditor.A whistleblower wishing to provide information under this chapter regarding asserted improper governmental action against the state auditor or an employee of that office shall provide the information to the attorney general who shall act in place of the auditor in investigating and reporting the matter.[ 1999 c 361 § 6.]
WA Rev Code § 42.40.110 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies|Chapter 42.40 - State Employee Whistleblower Protection.|42.40.110 - Performance audit.

RCW 42.40.110 Performance audit.The office of financial management shall contract for a performance audit of the state employee whistleblower program on a cycle to be determined by the office of financial management. The audit shall be done in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001. The audit shall determine at a minimum: Whether the program is acquiring, protecting, and using its resources such as personnel, property, and space economically and efficiently; the causes of inefficiencies or uneconomical practices; and whether the program has complied with laws and rules on matters of economy and efficiency. The audit shall also at a minimum determine the extent to which the desired results or benefits established by the legislature are being achieved, the effectiveness of the program, and whether the auditor has complied with significant laws and rules applicable to the program.The cost of the audit is a cost of operating the program and shall be funded by the auditing services revolving account created by RCW 43.09.410.[ 1999 c 361 § 8.]
WA Rev Code § 42.40.910 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies|Chapter 42.40 - State Employee Whistleblower Protection.|42.40.910 - Application of chapter.

RCW 42.40.910 Application of chapter.Chapter 266, Laws of 2008 and chapter 361, Laws of 1999 do not affect the jurisdiction of the legislative ethics board, the executive ethics board, or the commission on judicial conduct, as set forth in chapter 42.52 RCW. The senate, the house of representatives, and the supreme court shall adopt policies regarding the applicability of chapter 42.40 RCW to the senate, house of representatives, and judicial branch.[ 2008 c 266 § 9; 1999 c 361 § 7.]NOTES:Findings—Intent—2008 c 266: See note following RCW 42.40.020.
WA Rev Code § 42.41.010 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies|Chapter 42.41 - Local Government Whistleblower Protection.|42.41.010 - Policy.

RCW 42.41.010 Policy.It is the policy of the legislature that local government employees should be encouraged to disclose, to the extent not expressly prohibited by law, improper governmental actions of local government officials and employees. The purpose of this chapter is to protect local government employees who make good-faith reports to appropriate governmental bodies and to provide remedies for such individuals who are subjected to retaliation for having made such reports.[ 1992 c 44 § 1.]
WA Rev Code § 42.41.020 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies|Chapter 42.41 - Local Government Whistleblower Protection.|42.41.020 - Definitions.

RCW 42.41.020 Definitions.Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.(1)(a) "Improper governmental action" means any action by a local government officer or employee:(i) That is undertaken in the performance of the officer's or employee's official duties, whether or not the action is within the scope of the employee's employment; and(ii) That is in violation of any federal, state, or local law or rule, is an abuse of authority, is of substantial and specific danger to the public health or safety, or is a gross waste of public funds.(b) "Improper governmental action" does not include personnel actions including but not limited to employee grievances, complaints, appointments, promotions, transfers, assignments, reassignments, reinstatements, restorations, reemployments, performance evaluations, reductions in pay, dismissals, suspensions, demotions, violations of the local government collective bargaining and civil service laws, alleged labor agreement violations, reprimands, or any action that may be taken under chapter 41.08, 41.12, 41.14, 41.56, 41.59, or 53.18 RCW or RCW 54.04.170 and 54.04.180.(2) "Local government" means any governmental entity other than the state, federal agencies, or an operating system established under chapter 43.52 RCW. It includes, but is not limited to cities, counties, school districts, and special purpose districts.(3) "Retaliatory action" means: (a) Any adverse change in a local government employee's employment status, or the terms and conditions of employment including denial of adequate staff to perform duties, frequent staff changes, frequent and undesirable office changes, refusal to assign meaningful work, unwarranted and unsubstantiated letters of reprimand or unsatisfactory performance evaluations, demotion, transfer, reassignment, reduction in pay, denial of promotion, suspension, dismissal, or any other disciplinary action; or (b) hostile actions by another employee towards a local government employee that were encouraged by a supervisor or senior manager or official.(4) "Emergency" means a circumstance that if not immediately changed may cause damage to persons or property.[ 1994 c 210 § 1; 1992 c 44 § 2.]
WA Rev Code § 42.41.030 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies|Chapter 42.41 - Local Government Whistleblower Protection.|42.41.030 - Right to report improper governmental action—Policies and procedures.

RCW 42.41.030 Right to report improper governmental action—Policies and procedures.(1) Every local government employee has the right to report to the appropriate person or persons information concerning an alleged improper governmental action.(2) The governing body or chief administrative officer of each local government shall adopt a policy on the appropriate procedures to follow for reporting such information and shall provide information to their employees on the policy. Local governments are encouraged to consult with their employees on the policy.(3) The policy shall describe the appropriate person or persons within the local government to whom to report information and a list of appropriate person or persons outside the local government to whom to report. The list shall include the county prosecuting attorney.(4) Each local government shall permanently post a summary of the procedures for reporting information on an alleged improper governmental action and the procedures for protection against retaliatory actions described in RCW 42.41.040 in a place where all employees will have reasonable access to it. A copy of the summary shall be made available to any employee upon request.(5) A local government may require as part of its policy that, except in the case of an emergency, before an employee provides information of an improper governmental action to a person or an entity who is not a public official or a person listed pursuant to subsection (3) of this section, the employee shall submit a written report to the local government. Where a local government has adopted such a policy under this section, an employee who fails to make a good faith attempt to follow the policy shall not receive the protections of this chapter.(6) If a local government has failed to adopt a policy as required by subsection (2) of this section, an employee may report alleged improper government action directly to the county prosecuting attorney or, if the prosecuting attorney or an employee of the prosecuting attorney participated in the alleged improper government action, to the state auditor. The cost incurred by the state auditor in such investigations shall be paid by the local government through the municipal revolving account authorized in RCW 43.09.282.(7) The identity of a reporting employee shall be kept confidential to the extent possible under law, unless the employee authorizes the disclosure of his or her identity in writing.[ 1995 c 213 § 1; 1992 c 44 § 3.]
WA Rev Code § 42.41.045 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies|Chapter 42.41 - Local Government Whistleblower Protection.|42.41.045 - Prohibition on intimidation of whistleblower—Nondisclosure of protected information.

RCW 42.41.045 Prohibition on intimidation of whistleblower—Nondisclosure of protected information.(1) A local government official or employee may not use his or her official authority or influence, directly or indirectly, to threaten, intimidate, or coerce an employee for the purpose of interfering with that employee's right to disclose information concerning an improper governmental action in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.(2) Nothing in this section authorizes an individual to disclose information prohibited by law.[ 1994 c 210 § 2.]
WA Rev Code § 42.41.050 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies|Chapter 42.41 - Local Government Whistleblower Protection.|42.41.050 - Exemptions.

RCW 42.41.050 Exemptions.Any local government that has adopted or adopts a program for reporting alleged improper governmental actions and adjudicating retaliation resulting from such reporting shall be exempt from this chapter if the program meets the intent of this chapter.[ 1992 c 44 § 6.]
WA Rev Code § 42.41.060 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies|Chapter 42.41 - Local Government Whistleblower Protection.|42.41.060 - Local government administrative hearings account.

RCW 42.41.060 Local government administrative hearings account.The local government administrative hearings account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts from penalties in RCW 42.41.040 and the surcharges under RCW 43.09.2801 shall be deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only for administrative hearings under this chapter. Only the chief administrative law judge or his or her designee may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for expenditures.[ 1992 c 44 § 7.]
WA Rev Code § 42.41.900 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies|Chapter 42.41 - Local Government Whistleblower Protection.|42.41.900 - Construction.

RCW 42.41.900 Construction.This chapter shall not be construed to permit disclosures that would diminish the rights of any person to the continued protection of confidentiality of communications where statute or common law provides such protection.[ 1992 c 44 § 5.]
WA Rev Code § 42.41.901 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies|Chapter 42.41 - Local Government Whistleblower Protection.|42.41.901 - Effective dates—1992 c 44.

RCW 42.41.901 Effective dates—1992 c 44.Sections 1 through 10 of this act shall take effect January 1, 1993. Section 11 of this act shall take effect July 1, 1992.[ 1992 c 44 § 13.]