Ratings and endorsements.
(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.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
42.17A.110(1) and 2018 c 304. WSR 18-24-074, § 390-16-206, filed 11/30/18, effective 12/31/18. Statutory Authority: RCW
42.17A.110. WSR 12-03-002, § 390-16-206, filed 1/4/12, effective 2/4/12. Statutory Authority: RCW
42.17.370. WSR 08-06-061, § 390-16-206, filed 3/3/08, effective 4/3/08. Statutory Authority: RCW
42.17.370(1). WSR 86-08-030 (Order 86-02), § 390-16-206, filed 3/26/86; Order 84, § 390-16-206, filed 8/18/76.]