The bill amends the Ethics in Public Service Act, specifically RCW 42.52, to update and clarify definitions related to public service ethics. Key insertions include new definitions for terms such as "Appearance," "Charitable association," "Civic organization," and "Extraordinary award," while the definition of "Beneficial interest" has been revised to specify financial interests in contracts or grants. The bill also introduces a new section and repeals certain existing sections, indicating a significant restructuring of the law. Notably, the term "Gift" has been entirely removed, along with its associated conditions and exceptions, suggesting a shift in how gifts are treated under the ethics framework.

Additionally, the bill enhances regulations surrounding the acceptance of gifts by state officers and employees, raising the aggregate value limit for gifts from a single source from fifty dollars to one hundred dollars in a calendar year. It outlines specific circumstances under which gifts can be accepted without exceeding established limits and emphasizes that gifts that could influence an officer's actions are prohibited. The bill also modifies existing laws regarding the use of state resources, ensuring that certain activities related to official duties are permissible while prohibiting the use of state resources for campaign assistance. Overall, the amendments aim to promote transparency and accountability among public officials while simplifying the ethical standards governing their conduct.

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