RCW 42.52.425
Dismissal of complaint.
(1) Based on the investigation conducted under RCW 42.52.420 or 42.52.450, and subject to rules issued by each board, the board or the staff of the appropriate ethics board may issue an order of dismissal based on any of the following findings:
(a) Any violation that may have occurred is not within the jurisdiction of the board;
(b) The complaint is obviously unfounded or frivolous; or
(c) Any violation that may have occurred does not constitute a material violation because it was inadvertent and minor, or has been cured, and, after consideration of all of the circumstances, further proceedings would not serve the purposes of this chapter.
(2) Written notice of the determination under subsection (1) of this section shall be provided to the complainant, respondent, and the board. The written notice to the complainant shall include a statement of the complainant's right to appeal to the board under subsection (3) of this section if the dismissal order was issued by staff.
(3) In the event that a complaint is dismissed by staff under this section, the complainant may request that the board review the action. Following review, the board shall:
(a) Affirm the staff dismissal;
(b) Direct the staff to conduct further investigation; or
(c) Issue a determination that there is reasonable cause to believe that a violation has been or is being committed.
(4) The board's decision under subsection (3) of this section shall be reduced to writing and provided to the complainant and the respondent.
[ 2005 c 116 § 1; 2000 c 211 § 2.]
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 42 - Public Officers and Agencies
Chapter 42.52 - Ethics in Public Service.
42.52.020 - Activities incompatible with public duties.
42.52.030 - Financial interests in transactions.
42.52.040 - Assisting in transactions.
42.52.050 - Confidential information—Improperly concealed records.
42.52.060 - Testimony of state officers and state employees.
42.52.070 - Special privileges and exemptions—Application of section to legislature.
42.52.080 - Employment after public service.
42.52.090 - Limited assistance by former state officers and employees.
42.52.110 - Compensation for official duties or nonperformance.
42.52.120 - Compensation for outside activities.
42.52.150 - Limitations on gifts.
42.52.160 - Use of persons, money, or property for private gain.
42.52.170 - Giving, paying, loaning, etc., any thing of economic value to state employee.
42.52.180 - Use of public resources for political campaigns.
42.52.185 - Restrictions on mailings by legislators.
42.52.310 - Legislative ethics board.
42.52.320 - Authority of legislative ethics board.
42.52.340 - Transfer of jurisdiction.
42.52.350 - Executive ethics board.
42.52.360 - Authority of executive ethics board.
42.52.365 - Executive branch agencies—Ethics advisors—Ethics training.
42.52.370 - Authority of commission on judicial conduct.
42.52.380 - Political activities of board members.
42.52.390 - Hearing and subpoena authority.
42.52.400 - Enforcement of subpoena authority.
42.52.410 - Filing complaint—Whistleblower protection—Penalty for reprisal or retaliation.
42.52.425 - Dismissal of complaint.
42.52.430 - Public hearing—Findings.
42.52.450 - Complaint against legislator or statewide elected official.
42.52.470 - Referral for enforcement.
42.52.490 - Action by attorney general.
42.52.500 - Optional hearings by administrative law judge.
42.52.510 - Rescission of state action.
42.52.520 - Disciplinary action.
42.52.530 - Additional investigative authority.
42.52.540 - Limitations period.
42.52.550 - Compensation of ethics boards.
42.52.575 - Information about scholarship opportunities.
42.52.801 - Exemption—Solicitation to promote tourism.
42.52.8021 - Exemption—Solicitation for Washington state flag account.
42.52.8022 - Exemption—Informational or educational meetings regarding legislative issues.
42.52.8023 - Exemption—Gina Grant Bull memorial legislative page scholarship account.
42.52.8024 - Exemption—Rosa Franklin legislative internship program scholarship.
42.52.803 - Exemption—Solicitation for legislative oral history account.
42.52.804 - Exemption—Health profession board or commission—Professional opinions.
42.52.810 - Solicitation for the legislative international trade account—Report.
42.52.820 - Solicitation for hosting national legislative association conference.
42.52.821 - Exemption—Solicitation to host conference of a national association.
42.52.900 - Legislative declaration.
42.52.901 - Liberal construction.
42.52.903 - Serving on board, committee, or commission not prevented.
42.52.904 - Effective date—1994 c 154.
42.52.906 - Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.