Section 390-18-010. Advertising, political advertising, electioneering communications, and independent expenditures.

(1) For the purposes of chapter 42.17A RCW and Title 390 WAC:

(a) "Sponsor of an electioneering communication, independent expenditure or political advertising" is defined in RCW 42.17A.005.

(b) Unless the context clearly provides otherwise, "advertising" or "advertisement" means political advertising, electioneering communications, or independent expenditures that are for political advertising and/or electioneering communications subject to the provisions of chapter 42.17A RCW and as defined in RCW 42.17A.005 or 42.17A.255.

(2) With advertising for which no payment is demanded or for which a cost is not readily ascertainable, the sponsor is the candidate, political committee or person who solicits or arranges for the advertising to be displayed or broadcast.

(3) If more than one person sponsors specific advertising, the identity of each sponsor must be shown. However, if a person contributes in cash or in-kind to a candidate or political committee to assist in paying the cost of advertising, that person is not deemed a sponsor provided the contribution is reported in accordance with applicable provisions of chapter 42.17A RCW and Title 390 WAC.

(4) Printed advertising shall clearly state, in an area set apart from any other printed matter, that it has been paid for by the sponsor (Example: (1) Paid for by the XYZ committee, mailing address, city, state, zip code; (2) Vote for John Doe, paid for by John Doe, mailing address, city, state, zip code).

(a) Political committees that sponsor political advertising costing one thousand dollars or more supporting or opposing a ballot measure must clearly state the "top five contributors" to that political committee pursuant to WAC 390-18-025.

(b) Printed advertising undertaken as an independent expenditure or electioneering communication shall comply with the "no candidate authorized this ad" sponsor identification and, if relevant, the "top five contributors" and identification of the individual, corporation, union, association, or other entity that established, maintains, or controls the sponsoring political committee provisions of RCW 42.17A.320 and provide this information in an area set apart from any other printed matter.

(c) Political committees that sponsor independent expenditure or electioneering communication printed advertising are required to provide the "top five contributors" to that political committee pursuant to WAC 390-18-025; however, this requirement does not apply to bona fide political parties sponsoring independent expenditures.

(5)(a) Advertising consisting of more than one page but intended to be presented as a single item (e.g., 3-page letter with return envelope) must identify the sponsor on the first page or fold of the advertising. Identification on an enclosed return envelope or the envelope in which the advertising is sent is not sufficient.

(b) Advertising which is a collection of several items relating to more than one candidate or committee and distributed simultaneously must show the respective sponsor on the respective items.

(6) The name of the sponsor of all radio or television advertising shall be clearly spoken or identified as required in RCW 42.17A.320.

(a) Political committees that sponsor political advertising costing one thousand dollars or more supporting or opposing a ballot measure shall comply with the "top five contributors" provisions of RCW 42.17A.320 and this information shall be clearly spoken or identified as provided in RCW 42.17A.320. The "top five" contributors shall be identified pursuant to WAC 390-18-025.

(b) All radio, telephone and television advertising undertaken as an independent expenditure as defined in RCW 42.17A.005 shall comply with the "no candidate authorized this ad" sponsor identification and, if relevant, the "top five contributors" provisions of RCW 42.17A.320 and this information shall be clearly spoken or identified as provided in RCW 42.17A.320.

(c) All radio and television advertising undertaken as an electioneering communication as defined in RCW 42.17A.005 shall comply with the "no candidate authorized this ad" sponsor identification and, if relevant, the "top five contributors" provisions of RCW 42.17A.320 and this information shall be clearly spoken or identified as provided in RCW 42.17A.320.

(d) Political committees that sponsor independent expenditure or electioneering communication radio and television advertising are required to clearly speak or otherwise identify the "top five contributors" to that political committee pursuant to WAC 390-18-025; however, this requirement does not apply to bona fide political parties sponsoring independent expenditures.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17A.110 and 42.17A.320. WSR 13-12-015, § 390-18-010, filed 5/24/13, effective 6/24/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17A.110. WSR 12-03-002, § 390-18-010, filed 1/4/12, effective 2/4/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.370. WSR 11-05-051, § 390-18-010, filed 2/10/11, effective 3/13/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.370 and 42.17.562. WSR 06-11-132, § 390-18-010, filed 5/23/06, effective 6/23/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.370. WSR 03-12-034, § 390-18-010, filed 5/29/03, effective 6/29/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.370(1). WSR 00-22-055, § 390-18-010, filed 10/27/00, effective 11/27/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.370. WSR 93-16-064, § 390-18-010, filed 7/30/93, effective 8/30/93. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.370(1). WSR 85-15-020 (Order 85-03), § 390-18-010, filed 7/9/85.]

RCW 42.17A.110 and 42.17A.320. WSR 13-12-015, § 390-18-010, filed 5/24/13, effective 6/24/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17A.110. WSR 12-03-002, § 390-18-010, filed 1/4/12, effective 2/4/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.370. WSR 11-05-051, § 390-18-010, filed 2/10/11, effective 3/13/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.370 and 42.17.562. WSR 06-11-132, § 390-18-010, filed 5/23/06, effective 6/23/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.370. WSR 03-12-034, § 390-18-010, filed 5/29/03, effective 6/29/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.370(1). WSR 00-22-055, § 390-18-010, filed 10/27/00, effective 11/27/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.370. WSR 93-16-064, § 390-18-010, filed 7/30/93, effective 8/30/93. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.370(1). WSR 85-15-020 (Order 85-03), § 390-18-010, filed 7/9/85.

Rules

390-18-025,390-18-025,390-18-025,390-18-025,