Shift Washington

Shift Washington - Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.255 for failure to report independent expenditures.

Case Details

Case Number

7561

Respondent

Shift Washington

Complainant

Kyle Murphy

Date Opened

August 11, 2016

Case Status

Violation Found by Commission

Commission or presiding officer heard case and found violation.

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Area(s) of Law*

  • RCW 29B.25.120/42.17A.255

*On January 1, 2026, RCW 42.17A was recodified to RCW 29B

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Description

The complaint alleged that Shift Washington (Shift WA) made expenditures placing ads on social media that opposed I-732, a 2016 proposed ballot measure concerning a carbon tax, an alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.255.

Based on staff's investigation, an Enforcement Hearing was scheduled before the Full Commission on March 22, 2018.  At the Enforcement Hearing, the Commission accepted the signed Stipulation as to Facts, Violations and Penalty between representatives of Shift WA and PDC staff, that included violations of RCW 42.17A.255 by failing to timely file a C-6 Report disclosing Independent Expenditures that opposed Initiative 732 (I-732), a 2016 statewide ballot proposition concerning a carbon tax, and RCW 42.17A.320 by failing to include Shift WA's address on the Facebook advertisements.  

 

The penalty agreed to in the Stipulation was $2,500 with $1,250 suspended on the conditions Shift WA: (1) is not found to have committed any further violations of RCW 42.17A or WAC 390 within four years of the date of the final order in this matter; (2) is in compliance with all reporting requirements; and (3) the $1,250 non-suspended portion of the penalty is paid within thirty days of the date of the final order in this matter.


Penalties

$2,500

Total Penalties

$0

Balance Due

Penalty

$2,500

Suspended

$1,250

Payments

  • $1,250 on 05/01/2018