Washington Revised Code Title 42. Public Officers and Agencies § 42.52.185. Restrictions on mailings by legislators (Effective until January 1, 2026)

(1) During the period beginning on the first day of the declaration of candidacy filing period specified in RCW 29A.24.050 in the year of a general election for a state legislator's election to office and continuing through the date of certification of the general election, the legislator may not mail, either by regular mail or email, to a constituent at public expense a letter, newsletter, brochure, or other piece of literature, except for routine legislative correspondence, such as scheduling, and the legislator may, by mail or email, send an individual letter to (a) an individual constituent who has contacted the legislator regarding the subject matter of the letter during the legislator's current term of office; (b) an individual constituent who holds a governmental office with jurisdiction over the subject matter of the letter; or (c) an individual constituent who has received an award or honor of extraordinary distinction of a type that is sufficiently infrequent to be noteworthy to a reasonable person including, but not limited to: (i) An international or national award such as the Nobel prize or the Pulitzer prize; (ii) a state award such as Washington scholar; (iii) an Eagle Scout award; and (iv) a Medal of Honor.

(2) A violation of this section constitutes use of the facilities of a public office for the purpose of assisting a campaign under RCW 42.52.180.

(3) The house of representatives and senate shall specifically limit expenditures per member for the total cost of mailings. Those costs include, but are not limited to, production costs, printing costs, and postage costs. The limits imposed under this subsection apply only to the total expenditures on mailings per member and not to any categorical cost within the total.

(4) For purposes of this section: