Advisory Opinion 97-02
Date
02/17/1997
Number
97-02
Requester
Board’s own motion
Topic
Use of public resources - electronic mail
Issue/Question
To what extent are the mailing restrictions found in RCW 42.17.132 (now 42.52.185) affected by the publication and distribution of legislative materials by electronic means?
Summary
A violation of the mailing statute constitutes a violation of RCW 42.52.180, use of public resources to assist a campaign. Legislators and legislative employees should treat e-mail and faxes as regular mail for the purposes of the mailing restrictions found in 42.17.132. Board concludes there is a distinction between the passive act of posting information on the Internet and the affirmative act of sending messages.