Commission rules political action committee failed to maintain, produce records
The Public Disclosure Commission issued a fine of $20,000 today, half of it suspended on certain conditions, finding political action committee Let’s Go Washington violated Washington state campaign finance laws.
The Public Disclosure Commission has sent overdue notices to 62 candidates who appear to have missed the Sept. 10 deadline for mandatory post-primary election spending reports.
State law requires candidates who are participating in the primary election and registered as full reporters (required for those who raise and spend more than $7,000) to file expenditure (C-4) reports 21 and 7 days prior to primary and general election days regardless of campaign activity. Reports are also due on the tenth day of the month following the election.
The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission issued thousands of dollars in fines this month in cases of missing or late filed candidate registrations and personal financial affairs statements for 2024 candidates.
The Public Disclosure Commission’s regular meeting on Thursday, March 28 was the last for Commissioner Fred Jarrett, whose five-year term was up in December. State law allows commissioners to stay on the Commission until replacements are appointed.
Commission members and staff have thanked and lauded Jarrett for his guidance and leadership, and work on strategic planning over the years
“We do know where you are,” said Chair Nancy Isserlis. “When we have difficult or challenging issues, we may call on you for ex-officio advice.”
The Public Disclosure Commission met Thursday, March 14 for a strategic planning retreat, which happens about once every two years, to discuss the agency’s goals and priorities going forward.
Today the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission issued a unanimous order dismissing two complaints alleging that Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s 2024 campaign for governor violated campaign finance reporting rules. The order implements a stipulation agreed to by PDC staff and the Ferguson campaign, which was presented to the Commission at its Dec. 7, 2023 regular meeting.
Gov. Jay Inslee has appointed retired King County Superior Court Judge Douglass North to serve on the Washington state Public Disclosure Commission.
North said he is excited to dive into all of the issues coming before the Commission, such as grassroots lobbying rulemaking set to be considered at the PDC’s December 7 regular meeting, North’s first as a Commissioner.
The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission is reminding interested parties that it will consider proposals this December to update rules related to lobbying activities in advance of the 2024 legislative session.
