BILL REQ. #:  Z-0477.1 

Read first time 01/12/2005.   Referred to Committee on State Government Operations & Accountability.

     AN ACT Relating to ethics complaints; and amending RCW 42.52.425 and 42.52.450.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 42.52.425 and 2000 c 211 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Based on the investigation conducted under RCW 42.52.420 or 42.52.450, and subject to rules issued by each board, the board or the staff of the appropriate ethics board may issue an order of dismissal based on any of the following findings:
     (a) Any violation that may have occurred is not within the jurisdiction of the board;
     (b) The complaint is obviously unfounded or frivolous; or
     (c) Any violation that may have occurred does not constitute a material violation because it was inadvertent and minor, or has been cured, and, after consideration of all of the circumstances, further proceedings would not serve the purposes of this chapter.
     (2) Written notice of the determination under subsection (1) of this section shall be provided to the complainant, respondent, and the board. The written notice to the complainant shall include a statement of the complainant's right to appeal to the board under subsection (3) of this section if the dismissal order was issued by staff.
     (3) In the event that a complaint is dismissed by staff under this section, the complainant may request that the board review the action. Following review, the board shall:
     (a) Affirm the staff dismissal;
     (b) Direct the staff to conduct further investigation; or
     (c) Issue a determination that there is reasonable cause to believe that a violation has been or is being committed.
     (4) The board's decision under subsection (3) of this section shall be reduced to writing and provided to the complainant and the respondent.

Sec. 2   RCW 42.52.450 and 1994 c 154 s 215 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) If a complaint alleges a violation of RCW 42.52.180 by a legislator or statewide elected official other than the attorney general, the attorney general shall, if requested by the appropriate ethics board, conduct the investigation under RCW 42.52.420 and recommend action ((to the appropriate ethics board)).
     (2) If a complaint alleges a violation of RCW 42.52.180 by the attorney general, the state auditor shall conduct the investigation under RCW 42.52.420 and recommend action to the appropriate ethics board.