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, institution, or organization," "Civic organization," "Community organization," and "Emergency." The definition of "Beneficial interest" has been revised to specify that it refers to a financial interest in a contract or entity, with ownership interests of less than 10 percent not qualifying as beneficial. The bill also introduces a definition for "University research employee," which pertains to state officers or employees engaged in research-related activities. Additionally, it repeals certain sections of existing law, specifically RCW 42.52.140, 42.52.340, and 42.52.801, while establishing effective and expiration dates for the new provisions.

Furthermore, the bill enhances regulations surrounding the acceptance of gifts by state officers and employees, raising the limit on the aggregate value of gifts from a single source in a calendar year from fifty dollars to one hundred dollars. It clarifies that no state officer or employee may accept gifts that could reasonably be expected to influence their official actions and outlines specific categories of gifts presumed not to influence decision-making. The bill also modifies reporting requirements for lobbyists, increasing the threshold for itemized reporting of certain gifts to state officials from fifty dollars to one hundred dollars, and mandates that lobbyists report contributions to the commission while providing a copy of the report to relevant candidates or officials. Overall, the amendments aim to enhance transparency, accountability, and ethical standards in state governance.

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