(1) The term "contribution" as defined in the act and used in these rules shall be deemed to include, among other things, furnishing services, property or rights on an unequal basis or at less than their fair market value as defined in WAC 390-05-235, for the purpose of assisting any candidate or political committee. When such in-kind contribution is provided, it shall be reported at its fair market value per WAC 390-05-235 and, pursuant to RCW 42.17A.405 and 42.17A.410, the fair market value is the amount of the contribution to be allocated to the contributor in determining compliance with the contributor's contribution limit.

(2) Duplicating political advertising. The financing by a person of the dissemination, distribution, or republication, in whole or in part, of broadcast, written, graphic, digital, or other form of political advertising prepared by a candidate, a political committee, or the authorized agent of a candidate or political committee, is a contribution to the candidate or political committee.

(3) Consulting with a candidate. An expenditure made by a person in cooperation, consultation, concert, or collaboration with, or at the request or suggestion of a candidate, or the candidate's authorized committee or agent, is a contribution to such candidate. An expenditure is presumed to be made in cooperation, consultation, concert, or collaboration with, or at the request or suggestion of a candidate, or the candidate's authorized committee or agent, when:

(a) Any arrangement, coordination, or direction by the candidate, or the candidate's authorized committee or agent, is given to the expending person prior to the publication, distribution (digital or otherwise), display or broadcast, of political advertising or electioneering communications or prior to an expenditure being made by that person supporting that candidate or opposing one or more of that candidate's opponents;

(b) An expenditure is made based on information about the candidate's plans, projects, or needs provided to the expending person by the candidate, or the candidate's authorized committee or agent, with a view toward having an expenditure made;

(c) An expenditure is made by, through, in consultation with, or with the assistance of, including the fund-raising assistance of, any person who, during the twelve months preceding the expenditure, is or has been an officer of the candidate's authorized committee; or

(d) An expenditure is made by or in consultation with any person who, during the twelve months preceding the expenditure, is or has been receiving any form of campaign-related compensation or reimbursement from the candidate, or the candidate's authorized committee or agent. However, there is no presumption that an expenditure is made in cooperation, consultation, concert, or collaboration with, or at the request or suggestion of a candidate, or the candidate's authorized committee or agent, when a person performs only ministerial functions for two or more candidates or political committees pursuant to RCW 42.17A.005 and WAC 390-05-243.

(4) Consulting with a caucus political committee. An expenditure, not otherwise qualifying as a contribution to a candidate under subsection (3) of this section, made by a person in cooperation, consultation, concert, or collaboration with, or at the request or suggestion of a caucus political committee or its agent, is a contribution to such caucus political committee. An expenditure is presumed to be made in cooperation, consultation, concert, or collaboration with, or at the request or suggestion of a caucus political committee or its agent, when:

(a) Any arrangement, coordination, or direction by the caucus political committee, its agent, or another political committee financed, controlled or operated by the caucus, is given to the expending person prior to the publication, distribution, display, or broadcast of political advertising or electioneering communications, or prior to an expenditure being made by that person supporting that caucus political committee, or one or more of the candidates supported by it, or opposing one or more of those candidates' opponents;

(b) An expenditure is made based on information about the caucus political committee's plans, projects, or needs provided to the expending person by the caucus political committee, its agent, or another political committee financed, controlled, or operated by the caucus with a view toward having an expenditure made;

(d) The expenditure is made by or in consultation with any person who, during the twelve months preceding the expenditure, is or has been receiving any form of campaign-related compensation or reimbursement from the caucus political committee, its agent, or another political committee financed, controlled, or operated by the caucus. However, there is no presumption that an expenditure is made in cooperation, consultation, concert, or collaboration with, or at the request or suggestion of a caucus political committee or its agent, when a person performs only ministerial functions for two or more candidates or political committees pursuant to RCW 42.17A.005 and WAC 390-05-243.

(5) Consulting with a bona fide political party. An expenditure, not otherwise qualifying as a contribution to a candidate under subsection (3) of this section, made by a person in cooperation, consultation, concert, or collaboration with, or at the request or suggestion of a bona fide political party or its agent, is a contribution to such bona fide political party. An expenditure is presumed to be made in cooperation, consultation, concert, or collaboration with, or at the request or suggestion of a bona fide political party, when:

(a) Any arrangement, coordination or direction by the bona fide political party, its agent, or a political committee financed, controlled or operated by the party is given to the expending person prior to the publication, distribution, display, or broadcast of political advertising or electioneering communications or prior to an expenditure being made by that person supporting that bona fide political party, or one or more of the candidates supported by it, or opposing one or more of those candidates' opponents;

(b) An expenditure is made based on information about the bona fide political party's plans, projects, or needs provided to the expending person by the bona fide political party or its agent with a view toward having an expenditure made;

(d) An expenditure is made by, through, or in consultation with, any person who, during the twelve months preceding the expenditure, is or has been receiving any form of campaign-related compensation or reimbursement from the bona fide political party, its agent, or a political committee financed, controlled, or operated by the bona fide political party. However, there is no presumption that an expenditure is made in cooperation, consultation, concert, or collaboration with, or at the request or suggestion of the bona fide political party, a political committee financed, controlled, or operated by a bona fide political party or their agents, when a person performs only ministerial functions for two or more candidates or political committees pursuant to RCW 42.17A.005 and WAC 390-05-243.

(6) Consulting with other political committees. An expenditure made by a person in cooperation, consultation, concert, or collaboration with, or at the request or suggestion of a political committee is a contribution to such political committee. An expenditure is presumed to be made in cooperation, consultation, concert, or collaboration with, or at the request or suggestion of a political committee when:

(a) Any arrangement, coordination, or direction by the political committee, its agent, or another political committee financed, controlled, or operated by the committee is given to the expending person prior to the publication, distribution (digital or otherwise), display, or broadcast of political advertising, or prior to an expenditure being made by that person benefiting that political committee;

(b) An expenditure is made based on information about the political committee's plans, projects, or needs provided to the expending person by the political committee or its agent with a view toward having an expenditure made;

(d) An expenditure is made by, through, or in consultation with any person who, during the twelve months preceding the expenditure, is or has been receiving any form of campaign-related compensation or reimbursement from the political committee, its agent, or another political committee financed, controlled, or operated by the committee. However, there is no presumption that an expenditure is made in cooperation, consultation, concert, or collaboration with, or at the request or suggestion of a political committee or its agent, when a person performs only ministerial functions for two or more candidates or political committees pursuant to RCW 42.17A.005 and WAC 390-05-243.

PDFWAC 390-05-210

Definition—Contribution.