RCW 42.52.900
Legislative declaration.
Government derives its powers from the people. Ethics in government are the foundation on which the structure of government rests. State officials and employees of government hold a public trust that obligates them, in a special way, to honesty and integrity in fulfilling the responsibilities to which they are elected and appointed. Paramount in that trust is the principle that public office, whether elected or appointed, may not be used for personal gain or private advantage.
The citizens of the state expect all state officials and employees to perform their public responsibilities in accordance with the highest ethical and moral standards and to conduct the business of the state only in a manner that advances the public's interest. State officials and employees are subject to the sanctions of law and scrutiny of the media; ultimately, however, they are accountable to the people and must consider this public accountability as a particular obligation of the public service. Only when affairs of government are conducted, at all levels, with openness as provided by law and an unswerving commitment to the public good does government work as it should.
The obligations of government rest equally on the state's citizenry. The effectiveness of government depends, fundamentally, on the confidence citizens can have in the judgments and decisions of their elected representatives. Citizens, therefore, should honor and respect the principles and the spirit of representative democracy, recognizing that both elected and appointed officials, together with state employees, seek to carry out their public duties with professional skill and dedication to the public interest. Such service merits public recognition and support.
All who have the privilege of working for the people of Washington state can have but one aim: To give the highest public service to its citizens.
[ 1994 c 154 § 1.]
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.