Complaint Opinion 17-01

​Was the legislator’s acceptance of travel expenses allowable under the definitions of “gift” in RCW 42.52.010?

​Yes. A legislator may accept gifts of travel and related expenses under RCW 42.52.010, if there is an objectively reasonable nexus with the travel and legislative duties. Upon review of the travel occasions, the Board determined that the travels were legislative in nature and dismissed the complaint for lack of reasonable cause.