RCW 42.17A.755
Violations—Determination by commission—Penalties—Procedure.
(1) The commission may initiate or respond to a complaint, request a technical correction, or otherwise resolve matters of compliance with this chapter, in accordance with this section. If a complaint is filed with or initiated by the commission, the commission must:
(a) Dismiss the complaint or otherwise resolve the matter in accordance with subsection (2) of this section, as appropriate under the circumstances after conducting a preliminary review;
(b) Initiate an investigation to determine whether a violation has occurred, conduct hearings, and issue and enforce an appropriate order, in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW and subsection (3) of this section; or
(c) Refer the matter to the attorney general, in accordance with subsection (4) of this section.
(2)(a) For complaints of remediable violations or requests for technical corrections, the commission may, by rule, delegate authority to its executive director to resolve these matters in accordance with subsection (1)(a) of this section, provided the executive director consistently applies such authority.
(b) The commission shall, by rule, develop additional processes by which a respondent may agree by stipulation to any allegations and pay a penalty subject to a schedule of violations and penalties, unless waived by the commission as provided for in this section. Any stipulation must be referred to the commission for review. If approved or modified by the commission, agreed to by the parties, and the respondent complies with all requirements set forth in the stipulation, the matter is then considered resolved and no further action or review is allowed.
(3) If the commission initiates an investigation, an initial hearing must be held within ninety days of the complaint being filed. Following an investigation, in cases where it chooses to determine whether a violation has occurred, the commission shall hold a hearing pursuant to the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW. Any order that the commission issues under this section shall be pursuant to such a hearing.
(a) The person against whom an order is directed under this section shall be designated as the respondent. The order may require the respondent to cease and desist from the activity that constitutes a violation and in addition, or alternatively, may impose one or more of the remedies provided in RCW 42.17A.750(1) (b) through (h), or other requirements as the commission determines appropriate to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
(b) The commission may assess a penalty in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars per violation, unless the parties stipulate otherwise. Any order that the commission issues under this section that imposes a financial penalty must be made pursuant to a hearing, held in accordance with the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW.
(c) The commission has the authority to waive a penalty for a first-time violation. A second violation of the same requirement by the same person, regardless if the person or individual committed the violation for a different political committee or incidental committee, shall result in a penalty. Successive violations of the same requirement shall result in successively increased penalties. The commission may suspend any portion of an assessed penalty contingent on future compliance with this chapter. The commission must create a schedule to enhance penalties based on repeat violations by the person.
(d) Any order issued by the commission is subject to judicial review under the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW. If the commission's order is not satisfied and no petition for review is filed within thirty days, the commission may petition a court of competent jurisdiction of any county in which a petition for review could be filed under that jurisdiction, for an order of enforcement. Proceedings in connection with the commission's petition shall be in accordance with RCW 42.17A.760.
(4) In lieu of holding a hearing or issuing an order under this section, the commission may refer the matter to the attorney general consistent with this section, when the commission believes:
(a) Additional authority is needed to ensure full compliance with this chapter;
(b) An apparent violation potentially warrants a penalty greater than the commission's penalty authority; or
(c) The maximum penalty the commission is able to levy is not enough to address the severity of the violation.
(5) Prior to filing a citizen's action under RCW 42.17A.775, a person who has filed a complaint pursuant to this section must provide written notice to the attorney general if the commission does not, within 90 [ninety] days of the complaint being filed with the commission, take action pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. A person must simultaneously provide a copy of the written notice to the commission.
[ 2019 c 428 § 38; 2018 c 304 § 13; 2011 c 145 § 7; 2010 c 204 § 1002; 2006 c 315 § 3; 1989 c 175 § 91; 1985 c 367 § 12; 1982 c 147 § 16; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 112 § 12. Formerly RCW 42.17.395.]
NOTES:
Effective date—Finding—Intent—2019 c 428: See notes following RCW 42.17A.160.
Finding—Intent—2018 c 304: See note following RCW 42.17A.235.
Findings—Intent—Effective date—2011 c 145: See notes following RCW 42.17A.005.
Intent—Severability—2006 c 315: See notes following RCW 42.17A.750.
Effective date—1989 c 175: See note following RCW 34.05.010.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies
Chapter 42.17A - Campaign Disclosure and Contribution.
42.17A.001 - Declaration of policy.
42.17A.010 - Conservation district exception.
42.17A.020 - Statements and reports public records.
42.17A.055 - Electronic filing—Availability.
42.17A.060 - Access to reports—Legislative intent.
42.17A.065 - Access performance measures.
42.17A.105 - Commission—Duties.
42.17A.110 - Commission—Additional powers.
42.17A.120 - Suspension or modification of reporting requirements.
42.17A.125 - Revising monetary contribution limits, reporting thresholds, and code values.
42.17A.130 - Duties of attorney general.
42.17A.135 - Application of reporting requirements in small political subdivisions.
42.17A.140 - Date of receipt—Exceptions—Electronic filings.
42.17A.145 - Certification of reports.
42.17A.150 - Duty to preserve statements and reports.
42.17A.200 - Application of chapter—Exceptions.
42.17A.205 - Statement of organization by political committees.
42.17A.207 - Statement of organization by incidental committees.
42.17A.220 - Deposit of contributions—Investment—Unidentified contributions.
42.17A.225 - Filing and reporting by continuing political committee.
42.17A.230 - Fund-raising activities—Alternative reporting method.
42.17A.235 - Reporting of contributions and expenditures—Public inspection of accounts.
42.17A.240 - Contents of report.
42.17A.250 - Out-of-state political committees—Reports.
42.17A.255 - Special reports—Independent expenditures.
42.17A.260 - Special reports—Political advertising.
42.17A.270 - Earmarked contributions.
42.17A.300 - Findings—Intent—Rule-making authority.
42.17A.305 - Report—Information required—Time—Method—By whom—Penalty.
42.17A.310 - When a contribution.
42.17A.320 - Identification of sponsor—Exemptions.
42.17A.330 - Picture of candidate.
42.17A.335 - Political advertising or electioneering communication—Libel or defamation per se.
42.17A.340 - Responsibility for compliance.
42.17A.345 - Commercial advertisers—Public inspection of documents—Copies to commission.
42.17A.350 - Top five contributors to political advertisement.
42.17A.405 - Limits specified—Exemptions.
42.17A.417 - Foreign nationals—Contributions, expenditures, and electioneering prohibited.
42.17A.418 - Foreign nationals—Contribution certification.
42.17A.420 - Reportable contributions—Preelection limitations.
42.17A.425 - Expenditures—Authorization of and restrictions on.
42.17A.430 - Disposal of surplus funds.
42.17A.435 - Identification of contributions and communications.
42.17A.440 - Candidates' political committees—Limitations.
42.17A.442 - Contributions by political committees to political committees.
42.17A.445 - Personal use of contributions—When permitted.
42.17A.450 - Attribution and aggregation of family contributions.
42.17A.455 - Attribution of contributions by controlled entities.
42.17A.460 - Attribution of contributions generally—"Earmarking."
42.17A.465 - Restriction on loans.
42.17A.470 - Contributions on behalf of another.
42.17A.475 - Certain contributions required to be by written instrument.
42.17A.480 - Solicitation of endorsement fees.
42.17A.485 - Reimbursement for contributions.
42.17A.490 - Prohibition on use of contributions for a different office.
42.17A.495 - Limitations on employers or labor organizations.
42.17A.500 - Agency shop fees as contributions.
42.17A.550 - Use of public funds for political purposes.
42.17A.555 - Use of public office or agency facilities in campaigns—Prohibition—Exceptions.
42.17A.560 - Time limit for state official to solicit or accept contributions.
42.17A.565 - Solicitation of contributions by public officials or employees.
42.17A.575 - Public service announcements.
42.17A.600 - Registration of lobbyists.
42.17A.603 - Code of conduct—Verification—Penalty.
42.17A.605 - Photograph and information—Publication.
42.17A.610 - Exemption from registration and reporting.
42.17A.615 - Reporting by lobbyists—Rules.
42.17A.620 - Notification to person named in report.
42.17A.625 - Special reports—Lobbyists—Late contributions or large totals.
42.17A.630 - Reports by employers of registered lobbyists, other persons.
42.17A.640 - Grass roots lobbying campaigns.
42.17A.650 - Employment of unregistered persons.
42.17A.655 - Lobbyists' duties, restrictions—Penalties for violations.
42.17A.705 - "Executive state officer" defined.
42.17A.710 - Statement of financial affairs—Contents.
42.17A.715 - Concealing identity of source of payment prohibited—Exception.
42.17A.750 - Civil remedies and sanctions—Referral for criminal prosecution.
42.17A.755 - Violations—Determination by commission—Penalties—Procedure.
42.17A.765 - Enforcement—Attorney general.
42.17A.770 - Limitation on actions.
42.17A.775 - Citizen's action.
42.17A.780 - Damages, costs, and attorneys' fees—Joint and several liability.
42.17A.785 - Public disclosure transparency account.
42.17A.900 - Effective date—1973 c 1.
42.17A.904 - Construction—1973 c 1.
42.17A.905 - Chapter, section headings not part of law.
42.17A.906 - Repealer—1973 c 1.
42.17A.907 - Construction—1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 112.
42.17A.909 - Short title—1993 c 2.
42.17A.910 - Effective date—1995 c 397.
42.17A.911 - Captions—1995 c 397.
42.17A.915 - Effective dates—2005 c 445.
42.17A.917 - Effective date—2010 c 204 §§ 505, 602, and 703.
42.17A.918 - Effective date—2010 c 204.