Advisory Opinion 00-04
Date
02/28/2001
Number
00-04
Requester
Tim Martin, co-Chief Clerk, House of Representatives
Topic
Press Releases - Use of Public Resources
Issue/Question
The Board rephrased a request for an advisory opinion and provided a list of issues for discussion. Generally, the Board discussed the relationship between legislative policies and the Ethics Act, press releases, and whether different standards under the Act were available to party leadership.
Summary
Press releases are judged by: (1)
their timeliness; (2) proximity to an election; (3) relevance to a legislative
issue; (4) source of the initial statement, if a responsive press release; and
(5) tone and tenor of the proposed release. RCW 42.52.180. Board concluded
that the Act does not suggest that legislative leaders have more authority under
the Act than other legislators.