Legislative Ethics Board Advisory Opinions
Topic
Use of public resources - electronic mail
Issue/Question
LEB Opinion Issue/Question
To what extent are the
mailing restrictions found in RCW 42.17.132 (now 42.52.185) affected by the
publication and distribution of legislative materials by electronic
means?
Summary
LEB Opinion Summary
A violation of the mailing statute
constitutes a violation of RCW 42.52.180, use of public resources to assist a
campaign. Legislators and legislative employees should treat e-mail and faxes
as regular mail for the purposes of the mailing restrictions found in
42.17.132. Board concludes there is a distinction between the passive act of
posting information on the Internet and the affirmative act of sending
messages.
Document
LEB Advisory Opinion Document
Review Outcome and Date
Reviewed in June 2022 and retained. See Advisory Opinion 2021 – No. 1