July 23, 2015, Volume 15 Issue No 7

Katrina Asay, Chair

Anne Levinson, Vice Chair

Amit Ranade, Member

Grant Degginger, Member

John Bridges, Member

Enforcement

In lieu of holding a hearing, the Commission accepted Bailey Stober's stipulation that he failed to timely and accurately report campaign contributions and expenditures during his 2011 and 2013 campaigns for Kent City Council and failed to make the 2013 campaign books available for public inspection.  Stober agreed to a penalty of $4,000, $2,000 suspended with terms.

Staff summarized for the Commission its investigation of allegations that Jay Inslee for Washington – 2016 Campaign inappropriately spent campaign funds for a purpose not directly related to Governor Inslee’s 2016 reelection campaign and failed to register and report a grass roots lobbying campaign.  The Commission dismissed the allegations and recommends Attorney General Ferguson take no further action on the citizen action that made the allegations.

Advisory Matters

After considering a petition for declaratory order regarding contribution limits in recall limits submitted by the Committee to Recall Mark Lindquist, the Commission agreed to suspend enforcement on RCW 42.17A.405(3) (application of contribution limits to a recall campaign).  The suspension is expressly granted to the Recall Mark Lindquist Committee and is based on the injunction issued in Farris v. Seabrook, 677 F.3d 858 (9th Cir. 2012).

Rule Making

The Commission concluded approving draft rule proposals that establish alternatives to adjudication for resolving complaints by approving draft proposed amendments to WAC 390-37-030, Enforcement Procedures – Citizen complaints filed with the commission.  These draft proposals and others approved in May and June will be scheduled for a public hearing during a future Commission meeting.

Reporting Modifications 

A Personal Financial Statement (F-1) reporting modifications was granted to Anthony Wallace, candidate for Bellingham School District 501 Director, relieving him from disclosing financial information for his estranged wife.

The Commission meeting materials can be found at www.pdc.wa.gov under Commission Meetings. For additional information concerning these issues contact Lori Anderson, Communications & Training Officer, at (360) 664-2737, toll free 1-877-601-2828 or e-mail at landerson@pdc.wa.gov.

The next regular meeting of the Public Disclosure Commission is tentatively scheduled for August 27, 2015.