Washington Administrative Code
Title 399 - Commerce, Department of (Public Works Board)
Chapter 399-50 - Ethics in public service
Section 399-50-030 - Interest in transactions

Universal Citation: WA Admin Code 399-50-030

Current through Register Vol. 24-24, December 15, 2024

(1) When a member of the public works board either owns a beneficial interest in or is an officer, agent, employee or member of an entity or individual engaged in a transaction involving the board, the member shall:

(a) Recuse him or herself from board discussion regarding the specific transaction;

(b) Recuse him or herself from the board vote on the specific transaction; and

(c) Refrain from attempting to influence the remaining board members in their discussion and vote regarding the specific transaction.

(2) The prohibition against discussion and voting set forth in subsection (1)(a) and (c) of this section shall not prohibit the member of the board from using his or her general expertise to educate and provide general information on the subject area to the other members.

(3)

(a) "Transaction involving the board" means a proceeding, application, submission, request for a ruling or other determination, loan agreement, project or proposed project, loan, claim, case, or other similar matter that the member in question believes, or has reason to believe:
(i) Is, or will be, the subject of board action; or

(ii) Is one to which the board is or will be a party; or

(iii) Is one in which the board has a direct and substantial proprietary interest.

(b) "Transaction involving the board" does not include the following: Preparation, consideration, or enactment of legislation, including appropriation of moneys in a budget, or the performance of legislative duties by a member; or a claim, case, lawsuit, or similar matter if the member did not participate in the underlying transaction involving the board that is the basis for the claim, case, or lawsuit. Rule making is not a "transaction involving the board."

(4) "Board action" means any action on the part of the board, including, but not limited to:

(a) A decision, determination, finding, ruling, or order; and

(b) A grant, payment, award, license, loan agreement, transaction, sanction, or approval, or the denial thereof, or failure to act with respect to a decision, determination, finding, ruling, or order.

Example 3

Board member Alice Lester is a director of the Starburst Sewer District. During presentation of the annual construction roster, the board is asked to consider adding projects to the roster based on various criteria developed by staff. The board's choice of criteria will determine which additional projects will be funded. A sewer improvement project for the Starburst Sewer District is among those that may be added to the roster, depending on which criteria are selected. Lester should disclose her affiliation with Starburst and recuse herself from discussing on or voting on the criteria for funding additional projects, because she is an officer of an entity interested in a transaction before the board, specifically determination of funding criteria that will affect Starburst Sewer District.

Statutory Authority: RCW 43.155.040(4). 09-04-100, § 399-50-030, filed 2/4/09, effective 3/7/09. Statutory Authority: Chapter 42.52 RCW and RCW 43.155.040(4). 00-11-021, § 399-50-030, filed 5/9/00, effective 6/9/00.

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