Legislative Ethics Board Complaint Opinions

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Type
Complaint Opinion
Date
5/14/2021
Number
2021 – No. 2
Topic
Violation of Special Privileges - Harassment
Respondent
Rep. Jim Walsh
Question/Complaint

​Has RCW 42.52.070 been violated when a legislator asks questions about a bill being heard during an official committee hearing and those questions are perceived by some as offensive, rude or insensitive?  

Summary

​No. The harassment portion of the special privileges statute cannot be read to conflict with the “speech and debate” clause contained in the state constitution.   

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