Legislative Ethics Board Advisory Opinions

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Type
Advisory Opinion
Date
1/19/1996
Number
96-02
Topic
Gifts - Complimentary Admission - Reasonable Expectation
Issue/Question

Does the Ethics Act prohibit a legislator from accepting, from a political party, a complimentary admission to political party events?

Summary

No. Truly complimentary admission from a political party is a customary and accepted practice and this practice does not involve the concerns about gift giving (influence or reward) expressed in the Act.  If, however, a third person pays for attendance or if there is any type of arrangement, agreement or understanding that payment by a third person would pay or help pay for attendance, the admission is not complimentary and a gift analysis is appropriate. RCW 42.52.010 and 42.52.140.

Document
Review Outcome and Date
Reviewed in June 2022 and retained. See Advisory Opinion 2021 – No. 1