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Ethics advisory opinions

View formal opinions from the Legislative Ethics Board about whether certain situations involve unethical conduct.

Either in response to a request, or on its own motion, the Board has authority to publish formal written advisory opinions addressing whether or not particular fact situations involve unethical conduct.

2024

Number Date Topic
 Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2024
24-01 10/03/2024 Criteria Used to Determine Whether a Conflict Exists Under RCW 42.52.120
24-02 11/07/2024 Removal by Staff of Campaign Comments to Official Social Media Posts
24-03 09/18/2024 Altering Legislative Websites During Election Season
24-04 11/07/2024 Acceptance of Gift Cards by Legislative Staff
Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2024
Name:
24-01
Date:
10/03/2024
Topic:
Criteria Used to Determine Whether a Conflict Exists Under RCW 42.52.120
Name:
24-02
Date:
11/07/2024
Topic:
Removal by Staff of Campaign Comments to Official Social Media Posts
Name:
24-03
Date:
09/18/2024
Topic:
Altering Legislative Websites During Election Season
Name:
24-04
Date:
11/07/2024
Topic:
Acceptance of Gift Cards by Legislative Staff

2023

Number Date Topic
 Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2023
23-01 01/04/2024 Legislative Employee Collective Bargaining
23-02 06/22/2023 Legislator’s Outside Employment
23-03 04/25/2024 Use of Public Resources to Comment on International Events
Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2023
Name:
23-01
Date:
01/04/2024
Topic:
Legislative Employee Collective Bargaining
Name:
23-02
Date:
06/22/2023
Topic:
Legislator’s Outside Employment
Name:
23-03
Date:
04/25/2024
Topic:
Use of Public Resources to Comment on International Events

2022

Number Date Topic
 Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2022
22-01 10/24/2022 Interviewing Staff about Collective Bargaining
Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2022
Name:
22-01
Date:
10/24/2022
Topic:
Interviewing Staff about Collective Bargaining

2021

Number Date Topic
 Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2021
21-01 05/24/2022 Review of prior advisory opinions dealing with campaign issues; includes new material
21-02 02/03/2022 Use of Photos Depicting Legislators
Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2021
Name:
21-01
Date:
05/24/2022
Topic:
Review of prior advisory opinions dealing with campaign issues; includes new material
Name:
21-02
Date:
02/03/2022
Topic:
Use of Photos Depicting Legislators

2020

Number Date Topic
 Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2020
20-01 09/16/2020 Press releases, social media posts, speeches and talking points during election year freeze
20-02 12/24/2020 Fundraising by Legislators as part of Outside Employment
Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2020
Name:
20-01
Date:
09/16/2020
Topic:
Press releases, social media posts, speeches and talking points during election year freeze
Name:
20-02
Date:
12/24/2020
Topic:
Fundraising by Legislators as part of Outside Employment

2019

Number Date Topic
 Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2019
19-01 06/17/2019 Soliciting Lobbyists for Donations
19-02 08/13/2019 Use of State Resources to Film Video Identifying a Business
19-03 11/05/2019 Transfer to the Legislature of Previous Campaign or Personal Social Media Contacts
19-04a 03/30/2020 Legislative employee participation in campaign activities
19-04b 05/28/2020 Legislative employee participation in campaign activities
19-05 04/15/2020 Status, Qualifications and Political Activities of Citizen Members of the Board
Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2019
Name:
19-01
Date:
06/17/2019
Topic:
Soliciting Lobbyists for Donations
Name:
19-02
Date:
08/13/2019
Topic:
Use of State Resources to Film Video Identifying a Business
Name:
19-03
Date:
11/05/2019
Topic:
Transfer to the Legislature of Previous Campaign or Personal Social Media Contacts
Name:
19-04a
Date:
03/30/2020
Topic:
Legislative employee participation in campaign activities
Name:
19-04b
Date:
05/28/2020
Topic:
Legislative employee participation in campaign activities
Name:
19-05
Date:
04/15/2020
Topic:
Status, Qualifications and Political Activities of Citizen Members of the Board

2017

Number Date Topic
 Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2017
17-01 06/30/2017 Fundraising by Legislators to Pay Private Debts Incurred in Defense of Ethics Charges
Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2017
Name:
17-01
Date:
06/30/2017
Topic:
Fundraising by Legislators to Pay Private Debts Incurred in Defense of Ethics Charges

2015

Number Date Topic
 Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2015
15-01 04/21/2015 Gift - Admission to Event
15-02 08/18/2015 Campaign Site Use of Legislative Link
Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2015
Name:
15-01
Date:
04/21/2015
Topic:
Gift - Admission to Event
Name:
15-02
Date:
08/18/2015
Topic:
Campaign Site Use of Legislative Link

2009

Number Date Topic
 Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2009
09-01 10/09/2009 Campaign Links to Legislature
Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2009
Name:
09-01
Date:
10/09/2009
Topic:
Campaign Links to Legislature

2007

Number Date Topic
 Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2007
07-01 12/20/2007 Conflict of Interest - Legislative Duties and Pending Employment
Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2007
Name:
07-01
Date:
12/20/2007
Topic:
Conflict of Interest - Legislative Duties and Pending Employment

2006

Number Date Topic
 Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2006
06-01 08/17/2006 Public Resources - Advocacy on Behalf of 3rd Parties
Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2006
Name:
06-01
Date:
08/17/2006
Topic:
Public Resources - Advocacy on Behalf of 3rd Parties

2005

Number Date Topic
 Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2005
05-01 01/20/2005 Congratulatory Letters - Normal and Regular Conduct
Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2005
Name:
05-01
Date:
01/20/2005
Topic:
Congratulatory Letters - Normal and Regular Conduct

2004

Number Date Topic
 Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2004
04-01 05/20/2004 Use of Public Resources - Private Web Site - Normal and Regular Conduct
04-02 05/20/2004 Normal and Regular Conduct - Voter Registration
04-03 04/15/2004 Identical Newsletters
Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2004
Name:
04-01
Date:
05/20/2004
Topic:
Use of Public Resources - Private Web Site - Normal and Regular Conduct
Name:
04-02
Date:
05/20/2004
Topic:
Normal and Regular Conduct - Voter Registration
Name:
04-03
Date:
04/15/2004
Topic:
Identical Newsletters

2002

Number Date Topic
 Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2002
02-01 08/08/2002 Appearance in a Public Capacity - Gift Exemption
Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2002
Name:
02-01
Date:
08/08/2002
Topic:
Appearance in a Public Capacity - Gift Exemption

2001

Number Date Topic
 Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2001
01-01 11/01/2001 Legislator as Pro Tempore Judge - Conflict of Interest
Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2001
Name:
01-01
Date:
11/01/2001
Topic:
Legislator as Pro Tempore Judge - Conflict of Interest

2000

Number Date Topic
 Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2000
00-01 07/24/2000 Use of public resources - charitable fundraising
00-02 08/01/2000 Internet - Links - Campaign Use of Public Resources
00-03 09/21/2000 Valuation of Lodging - Gift
00-04 02/28/2001 Press Releases - Use of Public Resources
00-05 01/10/2001 Congratulatory Letters
Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 2000
Name:
00-01
Date:
07/24/2000
Topic:
Use of public resources - charitable fundraising
Name:
00-02
Date:
08/01/2000
Topic:
Internet - Links - Campaign Use of Public Resources
Name:
00-03
Date:
09/21/2000
Topic:
Valuation of Lodging - Gift
Name:
00-04
Date:
02/28/2001
Topic:
Press Releases - Use of Public Resources
Name:
00-05
Date:
01/10/2001
Topic:
Congratulatory Letters

1999

Number Date Topic
 Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 1999
99-01 08/12/1999 Conflict of Interest - Staff
Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 1999
Name:
99-01
Date:
08/12/1999
Topic:
Conflict of Interest - Staff

1998

Number Date Topic
 Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 1998
98-01 03/13/1998 Confidentiality - Bill Drafts
98-02 04/02/1998 State fairs pass - Gift
98-03 05/01/1998 Use of Public Facilities - Brochures - Town Hall Meetings
98-04 05/08/1998 Honoraria
98-05 07/09/1998 Gift - Hosting Appreciation Dinners
98-06 09/01/1998 Legislator as Executive Director - Conflict of Interest
Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 1998
Name:
98-01
Date:
03/13/1998
Topic:
Confidentiality - Bill Drafts
Name:
98-02
Date:
04/02/1998
Topic:
State fairs pass - Gift
Name:
98-03
Date:
05/01/1998
Topic:
Use of Public Facilities - Brochures - Town Hall Meetings
Name:
98-04
Date:
05/08/1998
Topic:
Honoraria
Name:
98-05
Date:
07/09/1998
Topic:
Gift - Hosting Appreciation Dinners
Name:
98-06
Date:
09/01/1998
Topic:
Legislator as Executive Director - Conflict of Interest

1997

Number Date Topic
 Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 1997
97-01 02/17/1997 Contracts - State Agencies - Filing
97-02 02/17/1997 Use of public resources - electronic mail
97-03 03/05/1997 Pre-appointment Mailings
97-04 03/26/1997 Frequent flier miles - personal use
97-05 06/12/1997 Ballot Measures - Use of Public Resources
97-06 06/12/1997 Gifts - Special Privileges
97-07 08/14/1997 Doorbelling - Use of Public Resources - Normal and Regular Conduct
97-08 10/09/1997 Newsletters - Ballot Information
97-09 12/11/1997 Ballot Measures - Hearings - Normal and Regular Conduct
97-10 11/13/1997 Museum Reception - Gift
97-11 12/29/1997 Legislative Support to Organization (Denial) - Legislative Duty
97-12 01/29/1998 Committee Mailings
Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 1997
Name:
97-01
Date:
02/17/1997
Topic:
Contracts - State Agencies - Filing
Name:
97-02
Date:
02/17/1997
Topic:
Use of public resources - electronic mail
Name:
97-03
Date:
03/05/1997
Topic:
Pre-appointment Mailings
Name:
97-04
Date:
03/26/1997
Topic:
Frequent flier miles - personal use
Name:
97-05
Date:
06/12/1997
Topic:
Ballot Measures - Use of Public Resources
Name:
97-06
Date:
06/12/1997
Topic:
Gifts - Special Privileges
Name:
97-07
Date:
08/14/1997
Topic:
Doorbelling - Use of Public Resources - Normal and Regular Conduct
Name:
97-08
Date:
10/09/1997
Topic:
Newsletters - Ballot Information
Name:
97-09
Date:
12/11/1997
Topic:
Ballot Measures - Hearings - Normal and Regular Conduct
Name:
97-10
Date:
11/13/1997
Topic:
Museum Reception - Gift
Name:
97-11
Date:
12/29/1997
Topic:
Legislative Support to Organization (Denial) - Legislative Duty
Name:
97-12
Date:
01/29/1998
Topic:
Committee Mailings

1996

Number Date Topic
 Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 1996
96-01 01/12/1996 Gifts - Reasonable Expectation - Lobbyists
96-02 01/19/1996 Gifts - Complimentary Admission - Reasonable Expectation
96-03 04/18/1996 Legislator's Contract - Beneficial Interest
96-04 04/18/1996 Mailing - Newsletters - Questionnaire results
96-05 04/18/1996 Private Use of Public Resources - Book on Legislative Process
96-06 05/28/1996 Mailings - Election Year Restrictions
96-07 05/28/1996 Use of Public Resources - Congratulatory Letters
96-08 05/28/1996 Gifts - Reasonable Expectation - Trade Mission
96-09 05/28/1996 Gifts - Travel
96-10 08/08/1996 Gifts - Complimentary Admission - Lobbyists - Reasonable Expectation
96-11 09/04/1996 Press Releases - Normal and Regular Conduct
96-12 10/29/1996 Mailing - Constituent Updates
96-13 12/10/1996 Gifts - Complimentary Admission - Lobbyists - Inaugural Ball
96-14 12/10/1996 Use of Public Resources - Conference Travel - Mixed Purposes
96-15 01/09/1997 Gifts - Complimentary Admission - Restaurant Association Event
Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 1996
Name:
96-01
Date:
01/12/1996
Topic:
Gifts - Reasonable Expectation - Lobbyists
Name:
96-02
Date:
01/19/1996
Topic:
Gifts - Complimentary Admission - Reasonable Expectation
Name:
96-03
Date:
04/18/1996
Topic:
Legislator's Contract - Beneficial Interest
Name:
96-04
Date:
04/18/1996
Topic:
Mailing - Newsletters - Questionnaire results
Name:
96-05
Date:
04/18/1996
Topic:
Private Use of Public Resources - Book on Legislative Process
Name:
96-06
Date:
05/28/1996
Topic:
Mailings - Election Year Restrictions
Name:
96-07
Date:
05/28/1996
Topic:
Use of Public Resources - Congratulatory Letters
Name:
96-08
Date:
05/28/1996
Topic:
Gifts - Reasonable Expectation - Trade Mission
Name:
96-09
Date:
05/28/1996
Topic:
Gifts - Travel
Name:
96-10
Date:
08/08/1996
Topic:
Gifts - Complimentary Admission - Lobbyists - Reasonable Expectation
Name:
96-11
Date:
09/04/1996
Topic:
Press Releases - Normal and Regular Conduct
Name:
96-12
Date:
10/29/1996
Topic:
Mailing - Constituent Updates
Name:
96-13
Date:
12/10/1996
Topic:
Gifts - Complimentary Admission - Lobbyists - Inaugural Ball
Name:
96-14
Date:
12/10/1996
Topic:
Use of Public Resources - Conference Travel - Mixed Purposes
Name:
96-15
Date:
01/09/1997
Topic:
Gifts - Complimentary Admission - Restaurant Association Event

1995

Number Date Topic
 Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 1995
95-01 02/09/1995 Precedents from Senate, House, and Joint Ethics Board Opinions
95-02 02/09/1995 Gifts - Conference Expenses Paid by Third Party
95-03 02/09/1995 Gifts - Contributing to Cost
95-04 03/03/1995 Conflict of Interest - Legislator's Vote
95-05 03/03/1995 Gifts - Reasonable Expectation
95-06 03/22/1995 Conflict of Interest - Contracts - Filing
95-07 04/06/1995 Special Privileges - Legislator's Employer and Clients
95-08 06/12/1995 Personal Use - Frequent Flyer Miles
95-09 06/08/1995 Beneficial Interests in State Contracts - Requirements for Filing
95-10 06/23/1995 Gifts - Reasonable Expectation - Complimentary Tours Provided by Lobbyists
95-11 06/08/1995 Conflict of Interest - Official Duties - Compensation for Teaching
95-12 06/08/1995 Beneficial Interest - Spouse's Contract with State Agency - Filing
95-13 07/10/1995 Gifts - Complimentary Golf Fees
95-14 06/08/1995 Contracts with State Agencies - Filing
95-15 09/18/1995 Gifts - Reasonable Expectation - Spouse's Traveling Expenses
95-16 11/21/1995 Conflict of Interest - Spouse's Employment
95-17 11/21/1995 Special Privileges - Private Benefit or Gain - Letters
95-18 11/21/1995 Normal and Regular Conduct - Ballot Measures - De Minimis
95-19 11/21/1995 Mailing - Election Year
Legislative ethics board advisory opinions for 1995
Name:
95-01
Date:
02/09/1995
Topic:
Precedents from Senate, House, and Joint Ethics Board Opinions
Name:
95-02
Date:
02/09/1995
Topic:
Gifts - Conference Expenses Paid by Third Party
Name:
95-03
Date:
02/09/1995
Topic:
Gifts - Contributing to Cost
Name:
95-04
Date:
03/03/1995
Topic:
Conflict of Interest - Legislator's Vote
Name:
95-05
Date:
03/03/1995
Topic:
Gifts - Reasonable Expectation
Name:
95-06
Date:
03/22/1995
Topic:
Conflict of Interest - Contracts - Filing
Name:
95-07
Date:
04/06/1995
Topic:
Special Privileges - Legislator's Employer and Clients
Name:
95-08
Date:
06/12/1995
Topic:
Personal Use - Frequent Flyer Miles
Name:
95-09
Date:
06/08/1995
Topic:
Beneficial Interests in State Contracts - Requirements for Filing
Name:
95-10
Date:
06/23/1995
Topic:
Gifts - Reasonable Expectation - Complimentary Tours Provided by Lobbyists
Name:
95-11
Date:
06/08/1995
Topic:
Conflict of Interest - Official Duties - Compensation for Teaching
Name:
95-12
Date:
06/08/1995
Topic:
Beneficial Interest - Spouse's Contract with State Agency - Filing
Name:
95-13
Date:
07/10/1995
Topic:
Gifts - Complimentary Golf Fees
Name:
95-14
Date:
06/08/1995
Topic:
Contracts with State Agencies - Filing
Name:
95-15
Date:
09/18/1995
Topic:
Gifts - Reasonable Expectation - Spouse's Traveling Expenses
Name:
95-16
Date:
11/21/1995
Topic:
Conflict of Interest - Spouse's Employment
Name:
95-17
Date:
11/21/1995
Topic:
Special Privileges - Private Benefit or Gain - Letters
Name:
95-18
Date:
11/21/1995
Topic:
Normal and Regular Conduct - Ballot Measures - De Minimis
Name:
95-19
Date:
11/21/1995
Topic:
Mailing - Election Year
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