Housing Solutions Coalition: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.640 for failure to register and report grassroots lobbying campaign & include complete sponsor ID (CY25 APR25)

Case

#169883

Respondent

Housing Solutions Coalition

Complainant

Abigail Lawlor on behalf of Washington Housing Alliance Action Fund

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) completed its review of the complaint filed against Housing Solutions Coalition by Abby Lawler on behalf of her client Washington Housing Alliance Action Fund on March 26, 2025. The complaint alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.640 for failure to register and report a grassroots lobbying campaign and for failure to include complete sponsor identification on grassroots lobbying materials.

It appears that the Respondent acted in good faith when using its registered lobbyist to disclose its grassroots lobbying activity. Additionally, while the mailer did not include the address of the sponsor, it clearly identified that Housing Solutions Coalition had paid for the ad. The Respondent has not been the subject of prior enforcement action.

Based on our findings, staff has determined that, in this instance, any violation that may have occurred was minor and has been cured. After consideration of the circumstances, further proceedings would not serve the purposes of this chapter. Under WAC 390-37- 060, 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.

Pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(d), however, the Respondent is receiving a formal written warning concerning failure to timely registration and accurate disclosure of a grassroots lobbying campaign, and failure to include complete sponsor identification on written advertising for a grassroots lobbying campaign. The formal written warning includes staff’s expectation that the Respondent timely register and report grassroots lobbying and include the required sponsor information on written advertisement in the future. The Commission will consider this formal written warning in deciding on further Commission action if there are future violations of PDC laws or rules.

Based on this information, the PDC has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).

Disposition

Case Closed with Written Warning

Date Opened

April 04, 2025

Areas of Law*

RCW 29B.50.100/42.17A.640

*On January 1, 2026, RCW 42.17A was recodified to RCW 29B