Ensure you’re compliant with state political disclosure  law, whether you’re a candidate, political committee, lobbyist, or an elected or appointed official. 

These guidelines are distilled from the requirements in RCW 42.17A and WAC 390. Care has been taken to ensure the guidelines are accurate and concise. Nevertheless, they do not take the place of local, state, or federal laws. 

Filter by audience for reporting guidelines and restrictions relevant to you or your interest area. Filter by interpretations or declaratory orders to see the Commission’s statements on how the law applies in certain situations.  
 

Title Type of Guideline Audience(s) Topic
Determining When an Entity is the Functional Equivalent of a Public Agency Commission Interpretation Public Agencies Public Agency Facilities
Employee Withholding for Political Contributions General Lobbyist Employer, Public Agencies Campaign Contributions
Guidelines for Local Government Agencies in Election Campaigns Commission Interpretation Candidates, Public Agencies Public Agency Facilities
Guidelines for School Districts In Election Campaigns

Public disclosure law governing use of public facilities in school district campaigns

 Commission Interpretation Candidates, Public Agencies Public Agency Facilities
In the matter of the Petition from Institute for Free Speech Regarding Pro Bono Legal Work

The Commission issued an order concerning a non-profit organization's plan to provide pro bono legal services to a person who plans to appeal a ruling in a campaign finance court case. The order says the non-profit need not register or file reports with the PDC, nor disclose its donors, as long as it represents the person in his individual capacity in the appeal.  [Declaratory Order No. 18, issued May 27, 2021]

 Declaratory Order Candidates, Political Committees, Bona Fide Party Committee, Out-of-State Political Committees, Sponsors of Independent Expenditures, Incidental Committees, Lobbyists, Lobbyist Employer, Grassroots Lobbying, Public Agencies, Official disclosing personal financial information, Elected Officials, Voters & the Public Enforcement Cases, Rulemaking
In the matter of the Petition from Institute for Free Speech Regarding Pro Bono Legal Work

The Commission issued an order concerning a non-profit organization's plan to provide pro bono legal services to a person who plans to appeal a ruling in a campaign finance court case. The order says the non-profit need not register or file reports with the PDC, nor disclose its donors, as long as it represents the person in his individual capacity in the appeal.  [Declaratory Order No. 18, issued May 27, 2021]

 Declaratory Order Candidates, Political Committees, Bona Fide Party Committee, Out-of-State Political Committees, Sponsors of Independent Expenditures, Incidental Committees, Lobbyists, Lobbyist Employer, Grassroots Lobbying, Public Agencies, Official disclosing personal financial information, Elected Officials, Voters & the Public Enforcement Cases, Rulemaking
Legal Fees Related to Placing, or Not Placing, a Proposition on the Ballot Commission Interpretation Political Committees, Public Agencies
Library Display of Campaign Materials Commission Interpretation Public Agencies, Elected Officials Public Agency Facilities
Limits on Publicly Funded Lobbying

Public agencies must limit lobbying activities and avoid spending public funds on gifts to state officials or employees.

 General Public Agencies
Penalty waivers for Small Business Paperwork Violations Commission Interpretation Candidates, Political Committees, Bona Fide Party Committee, Out-of-State Political Committees, Sponsors of Independent Expenditures, Incidental Committees, Lobbyists, Lobbyist Employer, Grassroots Lobbying, Public Agencies, Official disclosing personal financial information, Elected Officials, Voters & the Public
Penalty waivers for Small Business Paperwork Violations Commission Interpretation Candidates, Political Committees, Bona Fide Party Committee, Out-of-State Political Committees, Sponsors of Independent Expenditures, Incidental Committees, Lobbyists, Lobbyist Employer, Grassroots Lobbying, Public Agencies, Official disclosing personal financial information, Elected Officials, Voters & the Public
Wearing Political Pins, Buttons, Etc. Commission Interpretation Public Agencies, Elected Officials Public Agency Facilities