Complaint Opinion 24-12

Is it a violation of RCW 42.52.180 (use of public resources for campaign purposes) for a legislator to write the arguments in favor of an initiative for the Voters’ Pamphlet and use his legislative contact information?

No. The statute governing writing arguments for the Voters’ Pamphlets clearly contemplates that legislators will be involved in writing the arguments. The involvement of a legislator and the inclusion of his legislative contact information is considered “normal and regular conduct” which is an exception to the prohibition contained in RCW 42.52.180.