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- Howell, Bret: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.320 by failing to include complete sponsor identification on campaign fliers. (EY '21, October '21)
Howell, Bret: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.320 by failing to include complete sponsor identification on campaign fliers. (EY '21, October '21)
Case
#99874
Respondent
Bret Howell
Complainant
Bryan Taylor
Description
The complaints alleged Bret Howell, a candidate for Central Valley School Board, Position 2, violated RCW 42.17A.320 by failing to include the complete sponsor identification on political advertising sponsored by the 2021 campaign.
PDC staff reviewed the allegations; the applicable statutes, rules, and interpretations, the evidence provided in the complaint and a response from Bret Howell, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.
After review by PDC staff, Howell was provided information in PDC’s political advertising guide and he stated he will add the required sponsor identification to the flyers provided in the complaint, stating “We are updating the flyer graphics but are likely not printing anymore anyway. I have send out a message to our volunteers to please not hand any of our current flyers out until we are able to update them with a sticker containing the needed information.”
Based on these findings, and the fact Howell promptly took action to comply, PDC staff has determined that, in this instance, failing to include the complete sponsor identification on political advertising sponsored by the 2021 campaign does not amount to a violation warranting further investigation.
PDC staff is reminding Bret Howell about the importance of including complete sponsor identification on political advertising in the future and expects Howell to review PDC’s Political Advertising Guide.
Based on this information, the PDC finds that no further action is warranted and has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).
Disposition
Case Closed with Reminder
Date Opened
October 21, 2021
Areas of Law
RCW 42.17A.320
Documents
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