Washington Administrative Code

Sponsors must identify the "top five contributors" when required to be included in political advertising, as provided in WAC 390-18-010. When the "top five contributor" list includes one or more political committees, the sponsor must further identify and separately include in the…

(1) For electioneering communications identifying sponsors and top five contributors as required by RCW 29B.30.050, a "medium that does not include a visual image" means audio only, such as radio, which is transmitted without a visual component.(2) For independent expenditures id…

(1) RCW 29B.30.050 requires that political advertising must identify certain information. The commission is authorized to exempt advertising where the sponsor identification disclosures required by RCW 29B.30.050 (1) and (2) are impractical. In addition, other political advertisi…

For purposes of chapter 29B.35 RCW, any disclosure statement regarding the use of "synthetic media" in an electioneering communication is in addition to any required disclosure statements under chapter 29B.30 RCW and Title 390 RCW, and may not substitute, replace, or otherwise in…

(1) The term "reelect" when used in an advertisement represents that the candidate is presently holding the office being sought, was elected to it, and is seeking another term in that same office in the same district or political subdivision.(2) The term "reelect" may be used in …

(1) "Commercial advertiser" as that term is used in the act and these rules is defined under RCW 29B.10.110.(2) Any person that hosts political advertising or electioneering communications on a digital communication platform or other media is not required to maintain records on s…

(1) The public disclosure commission (PDC) was created and empowered by initiative of the people to provide timely and meaningful public access to information about the financing of political campaigns, lobbyist expenditures, and the financial affairs of public officials and cand…

(1) An electronic report is filed when it is received and validated by the PDC computer system. The PDC will notify the person reporting that the electronic report has been received.(2) An electronic report is timely filed if received on or before 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on the p…

(1) For the purpose of RCW 29B.15.010, "electronic filing system" means the specific PDC-provided application or functionality necessary to file a specific report and does not include software provided by third parties;(2) For the purpose of RCW 29B.15.010, "inoperable" means the…

The PDC executive director may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis for persons who lack the technological ability to submit required materials electronically.A person seeking an exception must electronically file with the executive director of the PDC a written statement of r…

The rules in this chapter set forth the reporting requirements for lobbying activities and legislative activities of governmental units, as required under chapter 29B.50 RCW.[Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17A.110 and 2024 c 164. WSR 26-01-209, s 390-20-0101, filed 12/24/25, effecti…

The photograph to be submitted by a registering lobbyist shall satisfy the requirements of a photo acceptable for a United States passport. The photograph shall have been taken within twelve months of the date of registration.[Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.370(1). WSR 85-24-020 …

(1) The registration of a lobbyist who registers during the last calendar quarter of an even-numbered year is valid until the second Monday of January three years later, unless it is terminated or suspended before that day.(2) Lobbyists are required to file monthly expense report…

A lobbyist who ceases lobbying activity may terminate his or her registration at any time by filing with the commission a signed statement, consistent with RCW 29B.50.010(3), indicating that he or she is not lobbying or being compensated to lobby. This notice of termination may b…

Lobbyists may temporarily suspend their registration by amending the registration to indicate the months in which no lobbying will be done, no expenditures will be made for lobbying, and no compensation will be received for lobbying. The amendment must be made before the beginnin…

A person, exempt from registration under RCW 29B.50.010, who voluntarily registers as a lobbyist, shall not be required to file the reports required by RCW 29B.50.050.The employer of any voluntarily registered lobbyist shall not be required to file the reports provided in RCW 29B…

The official report of expenditures is designated "L-2," which includes the L-2 Memo Report. This report is available on the PDC's website, www.pdc.wa.gov, and at the PDC Office, Room 206, Evergreen Plaza Building, Olympia, Washington.[Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17A.110(1), 2019…

For Entertainment, Receptions, Travel and Educational ExpendituresTypical Expenditures*(Only permitted if receipt could not reasonably be expected to influence the performance of the officer's or employee's official duties.)Itemize Expense?Give Copy of Monthly Expense Report or M…

A registered lobbyist who is not compensated for lobbying and, who in advance, informs the commission that the only expenses to be incurred are those exempt from reporting as provided in RCW 29B.50.050 (3)(a) through (d) shall not be required to file an L-2 report.[Statutory Auth…

For the purposes of compliance with RCW 29B.50.050 (2)(a) requiring reporting of expenditures by lobbyists, a person registered and reporting as a lobbyist need only report those expenditures made or incurred for lobbying. Each expenditure must be reported in sufficient itemized …

The term "other expenses" in RCW 29B.50.050 shall be deemed to include only expenses or services paid or incurred or performed in connection with lobbying.[Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17A.110 and 2024 c 164. WSR 26-01-209, s 390-20-026, filed 12/24/25, effective 1/1/26. Statutory…

For the purposes of reporting by employers of registered lobbyists pursuant to RCW 29B.50.080, the terms "state elected official" and "candidate for state office" shall include governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state auditor, commissioner of public lands, insurance…

Regarding the reporting of lobbying by public agencies pursuant to RCW 29B.50.090:(1) The phrase "in-person lobbying" contained in RCW 29B.50.090 (5)(d)(v)(B) includes activity which is intended to influence the passage or defeat of legislation, such as testifying at public heari…

(1) An independent contractor who is retained to lobby on behalf of an agency shall register and report as a lobbyist pursuant to RCW 29B.50.010 and 29B.50.050.(2) An agency which retains an independent contractor as a lobbyist and reports all of its expenditures in connection th…

(1) The term "lobbyist's employer" includes every person who engages or utilizes the services of any other person to lobby, upon an agreement express or implied, for compensation or for other consideration, as that term is defined in WAC 390-05-220. A person is a lobbyist's emplo…

The official report for statement by employers of registered lobbyists as required by RCW 29B.50.080 is designated "L-3." Electronic filing is required by RCW 29B.15.010 unless the PDC executive director has granted a hardship exemption for lack of technological ability.[Statutor…

The official report entitled "Employer of Lobbyist Monthly Political Contribution Report" as required by RCW 29B.50.080 (2)(a) is designated "L-3c." Hard copies of this report are available for download on the PDC's website, www.pdc.wa.gov, and at the PDC Office, Olympia, Washing…

The official report for legislative activity by public agencies as required by RCW 29B.50.090 is designated "L-5." This report is available on the PDC's website, www.pdc.wa.gov, and at the PDC Office, Olympia, Washington.[Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17A.110 and 2024 c 164. WSR 26…

The official report for registration and reporting by sponsors of grass roots lobbying campaigns as required by RCW 29B.50.100 is designated "L-6." Hard copies of this report are available for download on the PDC's website, pdc.wa.gov, and at the PDC Office, Olympia, Washington. …

The official report for statement of employment of legislators, state officers, and state employees as required by RCW 29B.50.110 is designated "L-7." Hard copies of this form are available for download on the PDC's website, www.pdc.wa.gov, and at the PDC Office, Olympia, Washing…

(1) For the purpose of determining compliance with RCW 29B.50.120, a lobbyist's employer is responsible for the applicability of all of the exemptions provided in RCW 29B.50.040 to any lobbyist the employer employs, pays, or agrees to pay.(2) The commission recognizes that a lobb…

(1) If a registered lobbyist employs another lobbyist to perform lobbying activities in excess of the exemptions specified in RCW 29B.50.010(2) or 29B.50.040 then such registered lobbyist is also an employer of a registered lobbyist.(2) Any person who becomes an employer of a reg…

(1) A lobbyist other than an individual will be considered to have properly restricted its lobbying activities and is eligible for the RCW 29B.50.040(5) "casual lobbying" exemption during any three-month period in which its agents or employees do not make an expenditure of more t…

(1) Any firm, company, association, or similar organization required to register as a lobbyist must file one registration statement (L-1 Report) for each employer for which the organization will lobby.(a) The lobbying organization will include with the registration statement a ph…

(1) A meeting or other gathering of individuals for which lobbying is a purpose or reasonably foreseeable result must be reported by or on behalf of the sponsoring person in accordance with WAC 390-20-143 and other applicable provisions of law: Provided, that the executive direct…

(1) All persons required to file reports pursuant to RCW 29B.50.050 who provide field trips or other excursions to elected and appointed officials, and other individuals required to file the Personal Financial Affairs Statement (F-1 Report) must file, on the appropriate monthly L…

For purposes of RCW 29B.40.160, a lobbyist shall be deemed to be exercising direction or control over the choice of the recipient state office candidate, state official against whom recall charges have been filed or a political committee if the lobbyist:(1) Officially decides to …

Pursuant to the commission's authority in RCW 29B.20.050 to revise the monetary reporting thresholds found in Title 29B RCW to reflect changes in economic conditions, the following revisions are made:Code SectionSubjectValue Set in Statute (and last changed)Previous Adjusted Valu…

The official statement of financial affairs as required by RCW 29B.55.010 is designated "F-1," and is available on the commission's website, www.pdc.wa.gov, and at the Commission Office, Olympia, Washington.[Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17A.110 and 2024 c 164. WSR 26-01-209, s 390…

(1) Any person holding elected public office, except as exempted by the terms of RCW 29B.55.010, and any appointed official and professional staff member listed or referenced in RCW 29B.55.010, and any appointed official required to comply with the reporting requirements of RCW 2…

(1) For the purpose of RCW 29B.55.030 (1)(b), the phrase "direct financial interest" means and includes any direct ownership interest in a bank or savings account, in the cash surrender value of an insurance policy, in stocks, bonds, other securities, evidences of indebtedness, j…

(1) For the purpose of RCW 29B.55.030 (1)(c), the term "debt" means and includes a personal obligation or liability to pay or return something of value.(2) The term "debt" as used in RCW 29B.55.030 (1)(c) shall not be deemed to include:(a) An account payable of a business entity …

(1) For the purposes of RCW 29B.55.030 (1)(g), the term "officer" or "office held" means and includes:(a) President, vice president, secretary, treasurer, or some derivation thereof;(b) One who holds a corporate office; or(c) An individual who holds a position described as an off…

(1) A professional staff member of the office of the governor and of the legislature includes all individuals retained on a full or part-time basis whose primary responsibilities require the exercise of judgment and discretion in policy related matters including, but not limited …

(1) For the purposes of reporting real property as required by RCW 29B.55.030 (1)(h) through (k), the filer must list the street address of each parcel, the assessor's parcel number, the abbreviated legal description appearing on property tax statements, or the complete legal des…

For the purposes of filing financial disclosures required by RCW 29B.55.030:(1) The terms partnership, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, and limited liability company as defined in Title 25 RCW will apply.(2) A person filing a personal finan…

When a person receives compensation in the form of a commission on sales, the reporting of the compensation, required in RCW 29B.55.030, shall include:(1) The name and address of the person or persons through whom a commission was paid;(2) For purposes of RCW 29B.55.030 (1)(f), t…