Bryce Carl Owings: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A. .320 for failure to provide complete sponsor identification on campaign advertising. (EY25 SEP25)

Case

#179147

Respondent

Bryce Owings

Complainant

Sam Landi

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.

RCW 42.17A.320 and WAC390-18-010, 020, 030, and 040 further outline requirements for sponsor identification on political advertising.
 
Background and Findings

  • A Candidate Registration (C-1) was filed on May 19, 2025, for the Full Reporting option. You participated in the primary election and qualified for the general.
  • You have a Canva account and have used the design tools to create and manage a campaign website. In your response to the complaint, you indicated that the Canva site is not advertised and is not your main campaign website.  Your official campaign website is at www.bryceowings.com.
  • As of September 24, 2025, the digital media for your campaign has been updated to include complete sponsor identification.
  • You have not received a warning, admitted to a violation, or been found in violation by the Commission in 2025.

Summary and Resolution
Having reviewed the complaint and the supporting evidence, PDC staff has determined that you 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 you about the importance of providing complete sponsor identification on political advertising. You are expected to comply with PDC statutes and rules in the future.  For more information about PDC requirements, see the 'Political Advertising Guide' section of the PDC website.

Disposition

Case Closed with Reminder

Date Opened

September 23, 2025

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.320

Documents

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