(1) The public disclosure commission was created by the passage of Initiative 276 in 1972 for the principal purpose of providing the public with accurate information about certain financial affairs of candidates and elected officials, about the financing of election campaigns and the sponsors of political advertising, and about expenditures made in the course of lobbying. The passage of Initiative 134 in 1992 further expounded the purpose of the commission and the law.

(2) The duties, responsibilities, and powers of the commission, and provisions for establishing the commission and appointing the members thereof, are set forth in chapter 42.17A RCW.