On July 30, the Washington Public Commission will launch an online reporting system for L-3c reports, or reports of contributions made by lobbyist employers.
Filers: The PDC's ORCA online filing system now allows you to amend contribution reports, or C-3s, to show zero contributions.
The software still does not allow you to file a report for the first time showing zero receipts (if you have no receipts, you don't need to file a C-3). But this change does allow you to amend an existing report to zero if contributions were reported in error.
To amend a report, find the report and click on "edit." Then, click "remove items" as necessary. When you're done, click "save and file," then click "file amendment."
The Public Disclosure Commission will launch a new online reporting method for out-of-state political committee reports (C-5) on Aug. 6.
The PDC will no longer accept the paper forms as of that date. State law requires PDC reports to be filed electronically when the agency has provided a system to do so.
These reports detail expenditures and contributions exceeding $50 made by an out-of-state political committee to influence a Washington election. The reports are due on the 10th of the month following the contribution or expenditure.
In an effort to better help filers find our training opportunities and resources, the Public Disclosure Commission has created a new Training and Resources page on its website at pdc.wa.gov.
ORCA has a new import contact function that is easier and more straightforward for campaigns to use.
To import contacts to a new year or campaign, open the previous year's campaign and select search contacts. Scroll to the bottom of the contact list and select the export to CSV function. Export the list to a CSV and save it in your computer.
If your committee is organized to support or oppose a ballot measure such as a school, fire, or library levy or bond, we recommend that you register a separate campaign for each election.
Registering as a single-election committee means you only need to do one set-up, which will cover multiple years including the year in which your election will take place.
If a campaign or political committee has its own credit card, here’s how to report transactions made with that credit card in the latest version of ORCA.
Paying a person, such as an influencer, to post on social media in support of or in opposition to a candidate or ballot measure campaign meets the definition of political advertising under state law. RCW 42.17A.005 (40)
It is time to register for the 2023-2024 biennium. A valid registration must be completed prior to any lobbying taking place. A registration is considered completed or valid, only if it has been approved by both the lobbyist and the lobbyist employer.