The bill amends various sections of the Ethics in Public Service Act (RCW 42.52) to update definitions and clarify terms related to public service ethics. Key insertions include new definitions for terms such as "Appearance," "Charitable association," "Civic organization," and "University research employee," among others. The definition of "Beneficial interest" has been revised to specify that it refers to a financial interest in a contract or grant where the individual is not a party but owns a stake in an entity that is. The bill also repeals certain sections of existing law, including RCW 42.52.140, 42.52.340, and 42.52.801, while establishing effective and expiration dates for the new provisions. These changes aim to enhance clarity and applicability of ethics regulations for public officials and employees in Washington State.

Additionally, the bill revises existing laws regarding the acceptance of gifts, increasing the aggregate value limit for gifts from a single source from fifty dollars to one hundred dollars, and clarifying that gifts to family members will count towards this limit. It introduces provisions allowing state officers to accept unsolicited gifts of nominal value and raises the reporting threshold for gifts in the form of food and beverages. The bill also modifies regulations on the use of state facilities for campaign purposes and mandates that higher education institutions coordinate on ethics compliance processes. Overall, the amendments seek to enhance ethical standards, transparency, and accountability within state governance and educational institutions.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 42.52.010, 42.52.030, 42.52.070, 42.52.080, 42.52.090, 42.52.110, 42.52.120, 42.52.150, 42.52.160, 42.52.180, 42.52.220, 42.52.360, 42.52.480, 42.52.490, 42.52.805, 42.52.810, 42.56.070, 29B.10.270, 42.17A.615, 29B.50.050, 42.17A.620, 29B.50.060, 42.17A.710, 29B.55.030
Substitute Bill: 42.52.010, 42.52.030, 42.52.070, 42.52.080, 42.52.090, 42.52.110, 42.52.120, 42.52.150, 42.52.160, 42.52.180, 42.52.220, 42.52.360, 42.52.480, 42.52.490, 42.52.805, 42.52.810, 42.56.070, 29B.10.270, 42.17A.615, 29B.50.050, 42.17A.620, 29B.50.060, 42.17A.710, 29B.55.030
Engrossed Substitute: 42.52.010, 42.52.030, 42.52.070, 42.52.080, 42.52.090, 42.52.110, 42.52.120, 42.52.150, 42.52.160, 42.52.180, 42.52.220, 42.52.360, 42.52.480, 42.52.490, 42.52.805, 42.52.810, 42.56.070, 29B.10.270, 42.17A.615, 29B.50.050, 42.17A.620, 29B.50.060, 42.17A.710, 29B.55.030
Bill as Passed Legislature: 42.52.010, 42.52.030, 42.52.070, 42.52.080, 42.52.090, 42.52.110, 42.52.120, 42.52.150, 42.52.160, 42.52.180, 42.52.220, 42.52.360, 42.52.480, 42.52.490, 42.52.805, 42.52.810, 42.56.070, 29B.10.270, 42.17A.615, 29B.50.050, 42.17A.620, 29B.50.060, 42.17A.710, 29B.55.030
Session Law: 42.52.010, 42.52.030, 42.52.070, 42.52.080, 42.52.090, 42.52.110, 42.52.120, 42.52.150, 42.52.160, 42.52.180, 42.52.220, 42.52.360, 42.52.480, 42.52.490, 42.52.805, 42.52.810, 42.56.070, 29B.10.270, 42.17A.615, 29B.50.050, 42.17A.620, 29B.50.060, 42.17A.710, 29B.55.030