Complaint Opinion 21-02
Date
05/14/2021
Number
2021 – No. 2
Topic
Violation of Special Privileges - Harassment
Respondent
Rep. Jim Walsh
Question/Complaint
Has RCW 42.52.070 been violated when a legislator
asks questions about a bill being heard during an official committee hearing
and those questions are perceived by some as offensive, rude or insensitive?
Summary
No. The harassment portion of the special privileges
statute cannot be read to conflict with the “speech and debate” clause
contained in the state constitution.