(1) For the purpose of determining compliance with RCW 29B.50.120, a lobbyist's employer is responsible for the applicability of all of the exemptions provided in RCW 29B.50.040 to any lobbyist the employer employs, pays, or agrees to pay.
(2) The commission recognizes that a lobbyist who initially intends in good faith to utilize the "casual lobbying" exemption from registration and reporting which is provided in RCW 29B.50.040(4) may thereafter become ineligible for that exemption, thus violating RCW 29B.50.010 or 29B.50.050 by not having registered or reported within the prescribed time periods.
(3) The commission will not commence enforcement proceedings against a lobbyist or their employer in circumstances described in subsection (2) of this section if the lobbyist:
(a) Registers pursuant to RCW 29B.50.010 before doing any lobbying in excess of the exemption limitations in RCW 29B.50.040(4); and
(b) Files a report on the L-2 Report when next due under RCW 29B.50.050, including all reportable information for the lobbying activities cumulatively causing the exemption limitations to be reached.
(4) The duty under RCW 29B.50.130(1) of a person required to register as a lobbyist to obtain and preserve all records necessary to substantiate required financial reports includes such records of all activities which cumulatively cause the RCW 29B.50.040(4) exemption limitations to be reached and exceeded.
(5) A lobbyist whose only compensation or other consideration for lobbying is payment of or reimbursement for expenditures not required to be reported per RCW 29B.50.050 (3)(a) through (d), does not qualify for exemption from registration and reporting per RCW 29B.50.040(4).
[Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17A.110 and 2024 c 164. WSR 26-01-209, s 390-20-140, filed 12/24/25, effective 1/1/26. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17A.110(1), 2019 c 428, and 2019 c 261. WSR 20-02-062, § 390-20-140, filed 12/24/19, effective 1/24/20. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17A.110. WSR 12-03-002, § 390-20-140, filed 1/4/12, effective 2/4/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.370(1). WSR 85-24-020 (Order 85-05), § 390-20-140, filed 11/26/85; WSR 82-14-016 (Order 82-04), § 390-20-140, filed 6/28/82. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.160(4) and 42.17.370(1). WSR 78-07-038 (Order 99), § 390-20-140, filed 6/26/78.]