(1) Any person making a measurable expenditure of funds to communicate a rating, evaluation, endorsement or recommendation for or against a candidate or ballot proposition shall report such expenditure including all costs of preparation and distribution in accordance with chapter 42.17A RCW. However, rating, endorsement or recommendation expenditures governed by the following provisions are not reportable: The news media exemptions provided in RCW 42.17A.005 (16)(b)(iv) and (22)(b)(iii), and WAC 390-16-313, and the political advertising exemption in WAC 390-05-290.

(2) A candidate or sponsor of a ballot proposition who, or a political committee which, is the subject of the rating, evaluation, endorsement or recommendation shall not be required to report such expenditure as a contribution unless the candidate, sponsor, committee or an agent thereof advises, counsels or otherwise encourages the person to make the expenditure.