International Association of Heat & Frost Insulators & Allied Workers PAC: Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.250 for failure to timely and accurately report as an out-of-state political committee (EY24 JUN24)

Case

#156213

Respondent

Insulators International PAC/INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HEAT AND FROST INSULATORS AND ALLIED WORKERS POLITICAL ACTION

Complainant

Conner Edwards

Description

PDC staff reviewed the allegation(s); the applicable statutes and rules, and reporting requirements; the response(s) provided by the Respondent; the applicable PDC reports filed by the Respondent; and other relevant information, to determine whether the record supports a finding of one or more violations.

Based on staff’s review, we found the following:

• The International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers PAC is registered with the Federal Elections Commission under ID C00115527.  The PAC is a connected organization to the International Association of Heat & Frost Insulators and Allied Workers.  Robert Reap is the Treasurer of record.
• During the case review, staff discovered the PAC had taken part in elections supporting campaigns in the 2024 election.
  • On June 17, 2024, the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers PAC made the following contributions to Washington state candidates:
    • Clyde Shavers, $500
    • Sam Low, $500
    • Patrick DePoe, $1,000

            An Out-of-State Political Committee (C-5) Report, was due by July 10, 2024, but was not submitted until July 30, 2024. 

• Since the PACs expenditures were reported prior to the Primary Election, the public was not fully deprived of critical information prior to an election.
• The respondent does not have other similar warnings or violations of PDC requirements.

Based on our findings staff has determined that, in this instance, failing to timely and accurately report as an out-of-state political committee does not amount to a violation that calls for further investigation.

Per WAC 390-37-060(1)(d), however, the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers PAC will receive a formal written warning concerning the requirement under RCW 42.17A.250 for failing to timely and accurately report as an out-of-state political committee.  Staff expects the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers PAC, moving forward, to follow all statutes and rules about reporting of expenditures supporting or opposing a Washington state candidate or political committee.  If violations of PDC statutes or rules occur in the future, the Commission will consider this formal written warning in deciding on further Commission action.

Based on this information, the PDC finds that no further action necessary and has dismissed this matter per RCW 42.17A.755(1).

Disposition

Case Closed with Written Warning

Date Opened

July 05, 2024

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.250

Documents

• 156213 International Association of Heat & Frost Insulators & Allied Workers PAC Complaint.pdf
• 156213 Int'l Assoc of Heat & Frost Inslts & Allied Wrkrs PAC Response.pdf
• 156213 IAHFIAW PAC Complaint Return Letter (combined).pdf