Advisory Opinion 97-07
Date
08/14/1997
Number
97-07
Requester
Rep. Roger Bush
Topic
Doorbelling - Use of Public Resources - Normal and Regular Conduct
Issue/Question
May a legislator doorbell constituents on legislative issues while delivering a document produced by legislative staff, materials and equipment? What is a general, working definition of "normal and regular conduct?"
Summary
Doorbelling is generally viewed as a campaign activity where the use of legislative materials is not permitted. Under certain conditions based on timing, selection method, content guidelines and other limitations, legislative doorbelling would be permissible. Contact with constituents using state resources which is in response to their requests for legislative information and/or assistance is generally permitted. Contact with constituents which is initiated by members and staff is subject to time, place, content and method restrictions. RCW 42.52.180.