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Columbia Basin PAC: Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.320 failure to provide complete sponsor ID on political advertising (EY25 SEPT25)
Columbia Basin PAC: Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.320 failure to provide complete sponsor ID on political advertising (EY25 SEPT25)
Case
#178407
Respondent
Columbia Basin PAC
Complainant
Marie Noorani
Description
The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) completed its review of a complaint filed with the PDC.
Applicable Laws and Rules
Per RCW 42.17A.320, all written political advertising, whether relating to candidates or ballot propositions, shall include the sponsor's name and address. The use of an assumed name for the sponsor of electioneering communications, independent expenditures, or political advertising shall be unlawful. For partisan office, if a candidate has expressed a party or independent preference on the declaration of candidacy, that party or independent designation shall be clearly identified in electioneering communications, independent expenditures, or political advertising. WAC 390-18-010, 020, 030, and 040 further outline requirements for sponsor identification on political advertising. Background and Findings
Columbia Basin PAC is registered with the PDC as a political committee opposing the City of Richland Charter Amendment (Measure #1) in the 2025 election.
On August 28, 2025, the PDC received a complaint that Columbia Basin PAC's campaign website and campaign yard signs did not include complete sponsor identification as required. PDC staff noted that although the sponsor ID on the yard signs was incomplete, they did include “Paid for by Columbia Basin PAC” alongside the web address "www.keeprichlandone.com".
Staff notified Columbia Basin PAC of the complaint and it took prompt action to add the complete sponsor ID to its website and yard signs.
Columbia Basin PAC has no prior Warnings or Violations from the PDC.
The complaint included an additional allegation regarding unreported campaign contributions and expenditures. Columbia Basin PAC is registered under the “Mini Reporting” option and is not required to submit reports of campaign activity. This allegation is also being dismissed.
Summary and Resolution
Having reviewed the complaint and the supporting evidence, PDC staff has determined that Columbia Basin PAC appear to have violated RCW 42.17A. After consideration of all the circumstances, further proceedings would not serve the purposes of the Fair Campaign Practices Act. Under WAC 390-37-070, the executive director, at any time prior to consideration by the Commission, may dismiss a complaint which on its face, or as shown by investigation, provides reason to believe that a violation has occurred, but also shows that the respondent is in substantial compliance with the relevant statutes or rules, or shows that formal enforcement action is not warranted. Based on this, the PDC has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1) and WAC 390-37-060(1)(d). PDC staff is reminding Columbia Basin PAC about the importance of providing complete sponsor identification on political advertising. The committee is expected to comply with PDC statutes and rules in the future.
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