Legislative Ethics Board Complaint Opinions
Type
Complaint Opinion
Date
5/26/2011
Number
11-01
Topic
Conflict of Interest-Private Employer
Respondent
Mike Armstrong
Question/Complaint

​When may a legislator be of legislative assistance to the legislator's outside employer?

Summary

​The citizen-legislature has its basis in the State Constitution.  It is assumed that legislators will have employment outside the legislature.  A legislator cannot be paid for legislative advice or assistance beyond compensation from State.  Opinion identifies illegal employment arrangements but, absent evidence of an illegal employment arrangement, legislators may support outside employers' legislative agenda.  RCW 42.52.020; 42.52.070; 42.52.110; 42.52.120.  Dismissed for lack of reasonable cause.

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