All Roll Calls
Yes: 299 • No: 85
WashingtonSB 51432025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Concerning the ethics in public service act.
Sponsored By: Chris Gildon (Republican)
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 6 mixed.
Stronger ethics penalties and enforcement
The law increases the bite of ethics enforcement. An ethics board can order damages and civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation or three times the value involved, whichever is greater. It can also require payment of investigative costs. The Legislative Ethics Board has stronger powers to train, advise, investigate, and sanction. The attorney general can sue in court to recover damages, penalties, and costs when the case meets the law’s standards.
Limits on outside pay and contracts
You may not have a beneficial interest in, or be paid by, people tied to state contracts or grants you oversee. You may not act on state deals involving entities where you serve as an officer, agent, employee, or member. Paid outside contracts or grants are allowed only if the work is real, outside your duties and supervision, not from barred sources, not created by you in office, and does not reveal confidential information. In narrow cases, an ethics board may clear a contract or grant, and you must file it with the board within 30 days. The law also updates who counts as “family” for conflict, gift, and nepotism rules.
Tighter post-employment limits for ex-staff
For one year after you leave state work, you cannot take a job to carry out a contract you negotiated or managed worth over $10,000. For two years, you cannot have a beneficial interest in contracts or grants you helped authorize or fund. You cannot accept an offer meant to influence or reward your past official acts. You also face a lifetime ban on helping others with specific state matters you worked on. Some unpaid help is allowed, like sharing agency contacts, free transport for state business, help with forms, and aid to the poor and infirm.
Higher threshold to report free meals
If you file a financial affairs statement, you report food and drink only when one occasion is worth more than $100. This replaces the old $50 trigger. The rule applies to state and local officials and their immediate family members.
Safe harbors for charity solicitations
Executive branch workers are presumed in compliance when they ask for donations for charity only from state workers or from groups with no business with their agency. The president of the senate and some state officers may solicit only for the legislative international trade account. The president must publish a yearly public report of that account’s receipts and spending.
University research ethics alternative path
Public universities and the state board for community and technical colleges may adopt approved ethics procedures for research work. Faculty and research staff who follow an approved process are treated as meeting the state rules it replaces. The Executive Ethics Board enforces activities covered by those approved processes.
Stricter rules on office and resources
You may not use your position to get special privileges for yourself or some relatives. In the Legislature, harassment and sexual harassment count as banned “privileges.” You may not ask for or accept gifts or pay for doing or not doing official acts. You may not use public people, money, or property for private gain. Agencies may not use facilities for campaigns. Lawmakers who are candidates cannot change official websites from the start of filing to general‑election certification, except limited updates or during a special session. The law defines “legislative nexus” and lists posts and communications that are allowed as part of official duties.
Gift rules for public employees updated
You may accept up to $100 in gifts from one source in a year. No single gift over $100 is allowed unless it is excluded by law. When dealing with people your agency regulates or with would‑be contractors, only certain modest items are allowed, like small promo items, tokens, samples, info materials, food at official receptions, and admission or meals at civic events.
Lobbying and campaign reporting updates
Lobbyists must list only payments over $100 to covered officials in monthly reports. Payments of $100 or less do not need an itemized listing. When a contribution list is filed, the filer must send a copy to each person or committee named, and send the identification form to any named state official or their immediate family at the same time. For certain campaign and ballot reports, “gift” uses the definition in RCW 42.52.150.
Key effective dates and expirations
Most changes take effect July 27, 2025. Some parts start on January 1, 2026. Several temporary sections end on January 1, 2026.
Old ethics sections repealed
The law repeals RCW 42.52.140 (Gifts), RCW 42.52.340 (Transfer of jurisdiction), and RCW 42.52.801 (Tourism‑solicitation exemption). Those old rules are removed to align with the new ethics framework.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Chris Gildon
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Jamie Pedersen
Democratic • Senate
T'wina Nobles
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/24/2025
Final Passage as Amended by the House
Yes: 45 • No: 1 • Other: 2
House vote • 4/23/2025
Final Passage as Amended by the House
Yes: 58 • No: 39 • Other: 1
House vote • 4/15/2025
Final Passage as Amended by the House on Reconsideration
Yes: 70 • No: 26 • Other: 2
House vote • 4/15/2025
Final Passage as Amended by the House
Yes: 78 • No: 18 • Other: 2
Senate vote • 3/10/2025
3rd Reading & Final Passage
Yes: 48 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Effective date 7/27/2025*.
5/20/2025SenateChapter 377, 2025 Laws.
5/20/2025SenateGovernor signed.
5/20/2025legislatureDelivered to Governor.
4/27/2025legislatureSpeaker signed.
4/26/2025legislaturePresident signed.
4/25/2025legislaturePassed final passage; yeas, 45; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 2.
4/24/2025SenateSenate concurred in House amendments.
4/24/2025HouseThird reading, passed; yeas, 58; nays, 39; absent, 0; excused, 1.
4/23/2025SenateRules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
4/23/2025SenateFloor amendment(s) adopted.
4/23/2025SenateReturned to second reading for amendment.
4/23/2025SenateSenate refuses to concur in House amendments. Asks House to recede from amendments.
4/17/2025HouseThird reading, passed; yeas, 78; nays, 18; absent, 0; excused, 2.
4/15/2025SenateRules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
4/15/2025SenateFloor amendment(s) adopted.
4/15/2025SenateThird reading, passed; yeas, 70; nays, 26; absent, 0; excused, 2.
4/15/2025SenateVote on third reading will be reconsidered.
4/15/2025SenateRules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
4/10/2025SenateReferred to Rules 2 Review.
3/31/2025SenateSGOV - Majority; do pass.
3/28/2025SenateSGOV - Executive action taken by committee.
3/28/2025SenateFirst reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations.
3/12/2025SenateThird reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 0.
3/10/2025SenateRules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
3/10/2025Senate
Bill Text
Session Law
5/23/2025
Bill as Passed Legislature
4/27/2025
Engrossed Substitute
3/10/2025
Substitute Bill
2/11/2025
Original Bill
1/14/2025
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