Office of the Governor

Office of the Governor: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.635 for use of public resources or facilities to support or oppose an initiative to the legislature. (EY25 JUN25)

Case Details

Case Number

174537

Respondent

Office of the Governor

Complainant

Josef "Joe" A Kunzler

Date Opened

June 06, 2025

Case Status

Case Closed with Reminder

PDC staff dismissed for no violation, but reminded the respondent of the applicable law and to exercise caution in the future.

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Area(s) of Law*

  • RCW 29B.50.090/42.17A.635

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

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Description

The complaint alleged a violation of RCW 42.17A.555. Given that the communication at issue involved an initiative to the Legislature rather than a ballot measure, PDC staff opened the case as a potential violation of RCW 42.17A.635 for prohibited indirect, or grassroots lobbying. 

The single tweet by the Office of the Governor appears to qualify for the narrow exemption in RCW 42.17A.635 that allows what otherwise might be impermissible grassroots lobbying activity.  

PDC staff is reminding the Office of the Governor that publicly supported lobbying activities should be limited to providing information or communicating on matters pertaining to official agency business or advocating the official position or interests of the agency to any elected official or officer or employee of any agency. A campaign directed to the public, a substantial portion of which is intended, designed, or calculated primarily to solicit, urge, or encourage the public to influence legislation, is grassroots lobbying, and is generally not permitted under RCW 42.17A.635.

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

Documents

Penalties

None