Renton FFs Yes on Prop 1 Sponsored by IAFF Local 864: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.235 & .240 for failure to timely and accurately file expenditure reports (EY25 APR25)

Case

#170056

Respondent

Renton FFs Yes on Prop 1 Sponsored by IAFF Local 864

Complainant

Conner Edwards

Description

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) completed its review of the complaint filed by Conner Edwards on April 2, 2025. The complaint alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.235 and .240 for failing to timely file a 21-day pre-election Campaign Summary Receipts & Expenditures report (C-4 report) in the April 2025 special election.

Applicable Laws and Rules

RCW 42.17A.235(2) states that each treasurer of a candidate or political committee, or an incidental committee, is required to file a statement of organization under this chapter, and shall file with the commission a report, for each election in which a candidate, political committee, or incidental committee is participating, containing the information required by RCW 42.17A.240 on the twenty-first day and the seventh day immediately preceding the date on which the election is held.

Background and Findings

The complaint alleged that Renton FFs Yes on Prop 1 Sponsored by IAAF Local 864 (“The Committee”), a local ballot measure committee, participating in the April 22, 2025, special election, was required to file the 21-day C-4 report.

Staff noted that as a ballot measure committee participating in the April 22, 2025, special election, The Committee was statutorily obligated to file a 21-day pre-election C-4 report on April 1, 2025, depicting contributions received and expenditures incurred for the reporting period covering March 1 – March 31, 2025.

On April 8, 2025, seven days after the deadline, The Committee filed a report that included the 21-day reporting period. The activity for that reporting period was disclosed seven days late.

Summary and Resolution

It appears that the failure to file the 21-day C-4 report was the result of a lack of understanding of the requirements regarding expedited reporting deadlines prior to special elections. The Committee did not intentionally withhold information prior to the April 22, 2025, special election, as demonstrated by filing a C-4 report just seven days after the 21-day C-4 report was due.

Based on our findings, staff has determined that, in this instance, the failure to timely file the 21-day C-4 report does not amount to a violation that warrants further investigation.

Pursuant to WAC 390-37-060(1)(d), however, The Committee is receiving a formal written warning concerning the failure to timely disclose expenditures during the accelerated reporting period. The PDC staff expects you to update your reporting schedule to include expedited reporting prior to the elections in which you are participating and to submit C-4 expenditure reports by the expedited deadlines delineated in Chapter 42.17A RCW. The Commission will consider the formal written warning in deciding on further Commission action if there are future violations of PDC laws or rules.

Any allegations regarding reporting by you for the April 2025 special election that are not otherwise addressed are hereby dismissed.

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

Disposition

Case Closed with Written Warning

Date Opened

April 08, 2025

Areas of Law*

RCW 29B.25.090/42.17A.235, RCW 29B.25.100/42.17A.240

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