Washington Code 42.17A.655 – Lobbyists’ duties, restrictions — Penalties for violations
Current as of: 2023 | Check for updates
|
Other versions
(1) A person required to register as a lobbyist under RCW 42.17A.600 shall substantiate financial reports required to be made under this chapter with accounts, bills, receipts, books, papers, and other necessary documents and records. All such documents must be obtained and preserved for a period of at least five years from the date of filing the statement containing such items and shall be made available for inspection by the commission at any time. If the terms of the lobbyist’s employment contract require that these records be turned over to the lobbyist’s employer, responsibility for the preservation and inspection of these records under this subsection shall be with such employer.
Terms Used In Washington Code 42.17A.655
- Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Liabilities: The aggregate of all debts and other legal obligations of a particular person or legal entity.
- person: may be construed to include the United States, this state, or any state or territory, or any public or private corporation or limited liability company, as well as an individual. See Washington Code 1.16.080
(2) A person required to register as a lobbyist under RCW 42.17A.600 shall not:
(a) Engage in any lobbying activity before registering as a lobbyist;
(b) Knowingly deceive or attempt to deceive a legislator regarding the facts pertaining to any pending or proposed legislation;
(c) Cause or influence the introduction of a bill or amendment to that bill for the purpose of later being employed to secure its defeat;
(d) Knowingly represent an interest adverse to the lobbyist’s employer without full disclosure of the adverse interest to the employer and obtaining the employer’s written consent;
(e) Exercise any undue influence, extortion, or unlawful retaliation upon any legislator due to the legislator’s position or vote on any pending or proposed legislation;
(f) Enter into any agreement, arrangement, or understanding in which any portion of the lobbyist’s compensation is or will be contingent upon the lobbyist’s success in influencing legislation.
(3) A violation by a lobbyist of this section shall be cause for revocation of the lobbyist’s registration, and may subject the lobbyist and the lobbyist’s employer, if the employer aids, abets, ratifies, or confirms the violation, to other civil liabilities as provided by this chapter.
[ 2019 c 428 § 34; 2010 c 204 § 812; 1987 c 201 § 2; 1982 c 147 § 14; 1973 c 1 § 23 (Initiative Measure No. 276, approved November 7, 1972). Formerly RCW 42.17.230.]
NOTES:
Effective date—Finding—Intent—2019 c 428: See notes following RCW 42.17A.160.