(1) The attorney general may, before the institution of a civil proceeding arising from an investigation instituted under RCW 24.03A.950, execute in writing and cause to be served upon a person a civil investigative demand requiring the person to produce documentary material and permit inspection and copying, to answer in writing written interrogatories, to give oral testimony, or any combination of those demands, whenever the attorney general believes that the person:

(a) May be in possession, custody, or control of any original or copy of any record, report, memorandum, paper, communication, tabulation, map, chart, photograph, mechanical transcription, or other document or recording, wherever situated, which the attorney general reasonably believes to be relevant to the subject matter of any investigation instituted under RCW 24.03A.950; or

(b) May have knowledge of any information which the attorney general reasonably believes to be relevant to the subject matter of any such investigation.

(2) The provisions of RCW 19.86.110 (2) through (9)[,] except for RCW 19.86.110(7) (b) and (c), shall apply to every civil investigative demand issued under this section.

(3) With respect to a civil investigative demand issued under this section, the venue for filing a petition to extend a return date under RCW 19.86.110(8) or a petition for an order of enforcement under RCW 19.86.110(9) shall include any court described in RCW 24.03A.025.

(4) The attorney general may provide copies of documentary material, answers to written interrogatories, or transcripts of oral testimony provided under this section to an official of this state, another state, or the federal government who is charged with the enforcement of state or federal laws related to the protection or regulation of property held for charitable purposes, provided that before the disclosure the receiving official agrees in the form of a record that the information may not be disclosed to anyone other than that official or the official's authorized employees or agents. Material provided under this subsection is subject to the limitations on disclosure contained in RCW 19.86.110(7)(a), and, where applicable, Title 5 U.S.C. Sec. 552, and may not be introduced as evidence in a criminal prosecution.

(5) The attorney general may use such copies of documentary material, answers to written interrogatories, or transcripts of oral testimony as the attorney general determines necessary in the enforcement of any provision of this chapter that governs the distribution, disposition, management, or expenditure of, or reporting obligations relating to, any property held for charitable purposes, including presentation before any court, provided, however, that any such material, answers to written interrogatories, or transcripts of oral testimony which contain trade secrets shall not be presented except with the approval of the court in which the action is pending after adequate notice to the person furnishing such material, answers to written interrogatories, or oral testimony.

Effective date—2021 c 176: See note following RCW 24.03A.005.