Advisory Opinion 96-13
Date
12/10/1996
Number
96-13
Requester
Ron Rowe, President, Inaugural Ball Committee
Topic
Gifts - Complimentary Admission - Lobbyists - Inaugural Ball
Issue/Question
SeaFirst was the corporate underwriter for the Inaugural Dinner and its contribution goes directly to the Inaugural Committee, a group of local citizens who issue invitations to Supreme Court Justices, legislative leaders and state-wide elected officials
Summary
The value of food and beverage is presumed not to be a gift, RCW 42.52.150(2)(f)(g). Complimentary admission from a lobbyist or lobbyist-employer could violate the "reasonable expectation" standard of RCW 42.52.140 but in this case the civic/community organization is the source of the invitation and determines who will attend.