Public Disclosure Commission
711 Capital Way, Room 206 | Olympia, Washington 98504
Note: All times shown for consideration of agenda items (other than time of convening) are approximate and may vary, depending on the amount of discussion required for each.
- 8:30 AM - I. Citizen Comments/Concerns | Commissioner Comments/Concerns | Minutes
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Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2013
- 8:35 AM - IV. Rulemaking
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Public hearing and possible adoption of amendments to:
- WAC 390-05-400 Changes in dollar amounts
- WAC 390-16-050 Forms for contributions and expenditures of out-of-state political committees
- WAC 390-20-0101 Forms for lobbyist registration
- WAC 390-20-020 Forms for lobbyist report of expenditures
Update - Lobbyist Reporting of Entertainment, Food and Beverage
Presenter - Lori Anderson; Nancy Krier
- 9:05 AM - V. On-line Lobbying Disclosures Background
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On-line Lobbying Disclosures Background
Presenter - Nancy Krier
- 9:35 AM - VI. 2013 Election
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Preliminary highlight summary of contributions and expenditures
Presenters - Andrea McNamara Doyle; Lori Anderson
- 9:45 AM - VII. Progress Report on Strategic Plan Item Re Updating Printed Materials (Brochures)
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Progress Report on Strategic Plan Item Re: Updating Printed Materials (Brochures)
Presenter - Jana Greer
- 9:55 AM - Executive Session
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Discussion of pending and potential litigation with legal counsel. Possible action following Executive Session.
- 10:25 AM - VIII. Pending Report
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Demonstration of new internal application to track pending reports that are awaiting submission of signature cards.
Presenter - Michael Smith
- 10:35 AM - IX. Enforcement
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Reports to Commission re: 45-Day Citizen Action Letters
1. Saving Whatcom County dba Save Whatcom, (45-Day Citizen Action Letter) Case No. 14-004, involving alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.235, 42.17A.240, and 42.17A.245 by failing to file timely and accurate reports of contributions and expenditures, and by failing to file reports electronically.
2. Whatcom First, (45-Day Citizen Action Letter) Case No. 14-005, involving alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.235 and 42.17A.240 by failing to file timely and accurate reports of contributions and expenditures.
3. Tristine Samberg, (45-Day Citizen Action Letter) Tracking Number T14-050, involving alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.205, 42.17A.700, 42.17A.235 and 42.17A.240 by: (1) Failing to timely file a Candidate Registration (C-1 report); Failing to timely file a Personal Financial Affairs Statement (F-1 report); and (3) Failing to timely file and accurate reports of contributions and expenditures.
Presenters - Kurt Young; Phil Stutzman; Tony Perkins
- 11:20 AM - X. Legislative/Budget Update
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Presenter - Andrea McNamara Doyle
- 11:35 AM - XI. Agency Staffing
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Presenter - Andrea McNamara Doyle
- 11:55 AM - XII. Staff Reports
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- Executive Director
- Chief Technology Officer
- General Counsel
Presenters - Andrea McNamara Doyle; Michael Smith; Nancy Krier
- 12:00 PM - XII. Farewell to Commissioner Sehlin
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Presenter - Chair Ranade
- 12:05 PM - Adjourn
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The Commission may deliberate in closed session on any enforcement matter on this agenda, or any matters listed in RCW 42.30.140.
Notice: The Public Disclosure Commission members may attend a staff potluck at 12 noon. No PDC business will be conducted.
December 5, 2013, Volume 13 Issue No 11
Amit Ranade, Chair
Grant Degginger, Vice Chair
Barry Sehlin, Member
Kathy Turner, Member
Commissioner Barry Sehlin, whose term ends December 31, was thanked for his service and recognized for his contributions to the Commission. Staff reported on new commissioner recruitment efforts. Commissioners expressed their concern for the difficulties caused by having two vacant positions and requested that the executive director continue to communicate their concerns to the governor. [Candidates seeking appointment to the Public Disclosure Disclosure Commission should apply online at http://www.governor.wa.gov/boards/application/. Recommendations are also submitted online at http://www.governor.wa.gov/boards/application/recommend.aspx.]
General counsel Nancy Krier was also thanked for her work. The Commission wished her well in her new role as the Open Government Assistant Attorney General.
Enforcement
The Commission accepted an amended stipulation by Saving Whatcom County dba Save Whatcom and PDC staff that set out violations of failing to file reports electronically and failing to timely to file accurate reports disclosing contributions received and expenditures made in the 2013 elections. The parties stipulated to a penalty of $3,000. $1,000 suspended with terms. In a related case, the Commission accepted an amended stipulation by Whatcom First and PDC staff that the committee failed to timely to file accurate reports disclosing contributions received and expenditures made in the 2013 elections. The amended stipulation includes a penalty of $2,000. $1,000 suspended with terms.
The Commission dismissed allegations made in a citizen action (45-day letter) that Tristine Samberg failed to timely register her 2013 campaign and file the personal financial affairs statement and failed to timely fire accurate contribution and expenditure reports. Commission recommends that the Attorney General and county prosecuting attorneys take no further action. on the 45-day letter.
Rule Making
The Commission continued its discussion regarding disclosure of lobbyists’ entertainment expenditures and potential rule making to adjust lobbyist disclosure thresholds. Staff reported on a November 2013 stakeholder meeting and summarized the comments received. Commissioners asked staff to further research alternatives for disclosing receptions enacted by other states and to brief them on public agency lobbying disclosure requirements at a future meeting.
A public hearing was held and the Commission adopted amendments to:
- WAC 390-05-400 Changes in dollar amounts,
- WAC 390-16-050 Forms for contributions and expenditures of out-of-state political committees,
- WAC 390-20-0101 Forms for lobbyist registration, and
- WAC 390-20-020 Forms for lobbyist report of expenditures.
The Commission meeting materials can be found at www.pdc.wa.gov under Commission Meetings. For additional information concerning these issues contact Lori Anderson, Communications & Training Officer, at (360) 664-2737, toll free 1-877-601-2828 or e-mail at landerson@pdc.wa.gov.
The next regular meeting of the Public Disclosure Commission is tentatively scheduled for January 23, 2014.