SECOND ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5284
State of Washington 68th Legislature 2023 Regular Session
By Senate State Government & Elections (originally sponsored by
Senators Nguyen, Billig, Frame, Hunt, Keiser, Kuderer, Shewmake, and
C. Wilson; by request of Public Disclosure Commission)
READ FIRST TIME 02/01/23.
1 AN ACT Relating to modifying commercial advertising requirements
2 related to the disclosure of political advertising and electioneering
3 communications; amending RCW 42.17A.345; and declaring an emergency.
4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
5 Sec. 1. RCW 42.17A.345 and 2019 c 428 s 26 are each amended to
6 read as follows:
7 (1) Each commercial advertiser who has accepted or provided
8 political advertising or electioneering communications during the
9 election campaign shall maintain current books of account and related
10 materials as provided by rule that shall be open for public
11 inspection during normal business hours during the campaign and for a
12 period of no less than five years after the date of the applicable
13 election. The documents and books of account shall specify:
14 (a) The names and addresses of persons from whom it accepted
15 political advertising or electioneering communications;
16 (b) The exact nature and extent of the services rendered; and
17 (c) The total cost and the manner of payment for the services.
18 (2) At the request of the commission, each commercial advertiser
19 required to comply with subsection (1) of this section shall provide
20 to the commission copies of the information that must be maintained
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1 and be open for public inspection pursuant to subsection (1) of this
2 section.
3 (3) Any person who purchases political advertising or
4 electioneering communications from a commercial advertiser must
5 disclose upon request from the commercial advertiser:
6 (a) That the purchase includes political advertising or
7 electioneering communications;
8 (b) The name of the sponsor, if different than the person making
9 the purchase; and
10 (c) Any other information the commercial advertiser is required
11 to maintain, as provided by this section or rule.
12 (4) Any failure to provide the required information in subsection
13 (3) of this section upon request is a violation under this chapter,
14 but such failure shall not relieve a commercial advertiser of any of
15 the requirements under this section.
16 NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. This act is necessary for the immediate
17 preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of
18 the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes
19 effect immediately.
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p. 2 2ESSB 5284

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 42.17A.205, 42.17A.207, 42.17A.235, 42.17A.255, 42.17A.260, 42.17A.265, 42.17A.345, 42.17A.640, 42.17A.785
Substitute Bill: 42.17A.005, 42.17A.205, 42.17A.207, 42.17A.235, 42.17A.240, 42.17A.250, 42.17A.255, 42.17A.260, 42.17A.265, 42.17A.305, 42.17A.345, 42.17A.418
Engrossed Substitute: 42.17A.005, 42.17A.205, 42.17A.207, 42.17A.235, 42.17A.240, 42.17A.250, 42.17A.255, 42.17A.260, 42.17A.265, 42.17A.305, 42.17A.345
Second Engrossed Substitute: 42.17A.345