Earth Ministry WA IPL PAC: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.205, .235, and .240 for failure to timely file a committee registration and failure to timely and accurately report contributions and expenditures. (EY24 NOV24)

Case

#164170

Respondent

Earth Ministry/WA IPL PAC

Complainant

Conner Edwards

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) completed its review of the complaint filed by Conner Edwards on November 4, 2024. The complaint alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.205, RCW 42.17A.235, and RCW 42.17A.240 for failure to timely file a committee registration and failure to timely and accurately report contributions and expenditures.
Applicable Laws and Rules

• RCW 42.17A.205 describes the required deadline for filing a Committee Registration (C-1) and the required details that must be provided as part of the registration.

• RCW 42.17A.235 describes the required filing deadlines for disclosure of campaign finance activities including monetary contributions.

• RCW 42.17A.240 requires committees to file accurate campaign finance reports with the Public Disclosure Commission.

Background and Findings

• Earth Ministry WA IPL PAC was a continuing committee registered under full reporting that participated in the 2024 election for the purpose of opposing Initiative No. 2116.
• The Respondent failed to timely register their committee by filing a C-1 report within two weeks of the date the committee first has the expectation of receiving contributions or making expenditures in any election campaign.
• The Respondent received a $4,000 contribution from Golde Family Fund on July 26, 2024.
• The C-1 report that was due by August 9, 2024, was filed 82 days late on October 30, 2024.
• The C-1 was filed prior to the submission of the complaint in question.
• The Respondent failed to timely file C-4 reports, having filed five C-4 reports significantly late, with the latest report being 87 days late.
• As of Oct. 28, 2024, the Respondent reported having spent $4,258.
• As of March 6, 2025, the Respondent has not filed a Post-General C-4 report.
• In their response to the complaint, the Respondent stated that this was their first time actively taking part in supporting or opposing a ballot measure or candidate, and as such were unfamiliar with their obligations, and upon learning them, they worked to correct this deficiency.  
• On March 3, 2025, the Respondent completed a Statement of Understanding acknowledging their violations of RCW 42.17A.235 and RCW 42.17A.240.

Summary and Resolution

The committee completed a Statement of Understanding (SOU) acknowledging violations of RCW 42.17A.235 and RCW 42.17A.240 for: (1) failing to timely and accurately file the C-4 reports during the 2004 election. This resolves the allegations listed in this case

Pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(d), however, you are also receiving a formal written warning concerning your failure to timely file your C-1 report. The Commission will consider the formal written warning if there are future violations of PDC laws or rules.

Based on the guidance provided to PDC staff by the Commission at its January 23, 2025, meeting, this matter is dismissed in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1) and WAC 390-37-060(1)(d) due to current caseloads. Any allegations regarding reporting by you for the calendar year 2024 that are not otherwise addressed are hereby dismissed.

PDC staff urge you to bring your reporting into full compliance. You are required to comply with all PDC requirements in the future, and failure to do so could lead to enforcement action.
 

Disposition

Resolved through Statement of Understanding (SOU)

Date Opened

December 23, 2024

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.205, RCW 42.17A.235, RCW 42.17A.240

Documents

• PDC Complaint Response Submitted.pdf
• 164170 Earth Ministry WA IPL PAC Resolution Letter.pdf
• PDC SOU 24-25.pdf
• 164170 Earth Ministry_WA IPL PAC Complaint.pdf