September 29, 2025

The Washington Public Disclosure Commission on Thursday, Sept. 25, issued a $5,000 fine to the Tobacco-Free Action Fund for late reporting of nearly $300,000 in grassroots lobbying activity.  

The fine was agreed upon as part of a stipulation between the Fund and Public Disclosure Commission Executive Director Peter Frey Lavallee. The Commission approved the resolution of the case on Thursday. Half of the fine is suspended on condition of the non-suspended portion being paid in 30 days, and on continued compliance with public disclosure law. 

Unlike traditional, or direct, lobbying, in which a lobbyist communicates with legislators, grassroots lobbying campaigns are directed at mobilizing members of the public to do the lobbying. Sponsors of grassroots lobbying campaigns are required to register and report expenses within 24 hours of the initial presentation of the campaign to the public. Sponsors of the lobbying then file monthly reports through the end of the lobbying campaign. 
 

After the PDC opened a case, the Tobacco-Free Action Fund filed its registration (L-6) on March 11, 2025, covering the period from January 1-31, 2025. It reported making $289,585 in expenditures during that period. The registration was filed 68 days late and later amended on May 12, 2025, to include missing information, including the start dates of the digital advertising and billboards paid for by the campaign.  

The Fund agreed to stipulate that it violated RCW 42.17A.640 and WAC 390-20-125 for failing to register and report a grassroots lobbying campaign within 24 hours of the initial presentation and for failing to timely report the date the campaign was first presented to the public.  

The Fund engaged in both direct and grassroots lobbying during the 2025 legislative session, reporting close to $1.31 million in total lobbying expenses. Topics of its lobbying included Senate Bill 5183 and accompanying House Bill 1203, regarding prohibiting the sale of certain tobacco and nicotine products.