The Commission
The Public Disclosure Commission, created by Initiative 276 in 1972, consists of five members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate.
Commission requirements
The Public Disclosure Commission, created by Initiative 276 in 1972, consists of five members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. No more than three members can be affiliated with the same political party.
While serving, commission members may not:
- hold or campaign for elective office,
- serve as officer of any political party or political committee,
- support or oppose any candidate or ballot proposition,
- participate in any way in any election campaign inside or outside of Washington State, or
- lobby, employ a lobbyist, or assist a lobbyist in any way, except on PDC matters.
Meet the members of the Commission and the agency’s executive director.
Duties
The Commission has multiple responsibilities, most importantly setting agency policy, interpreting the campaign disclosure and contribution provisions found in RCW 42.17A, and adopting administrative rules. Learn what rule changes it is considering, and what direction it has set for the agency.
Rulemaking
Strategic Plan & Projects
Enforcement
The Commission also hears requests for reporting modifications and, in its most visible role, enforces the provisions of the state’s campaign finance and disclosure laws. The Commission is a quasi-judicial body and hears cases that allege violations of the campaign finance and disclosure laws. It may assess penalties up to $10,000 per violation unless parties stipulate otherwise.
Commission Meetings
The Commission meets, usually in Olympia, on the fourth Thursday of each month, except during November and December, when a combined meeting is scheduled for the first or second week of December. Keep up to date on what’s next on the agenda for the Commission.
Commission Meeting Highlights
Catch up on Commission discussions and decisions at recent meetings.