State panel limits free meals for lawmakers

  • By Jerry Cornfield
  • Tuesday, October 14, 2014 1:48pm
  • Local News

Washington lawmakers now have a limit on how often they can eat and drink on the dime of lobbyists and others trying to influence them.

They will be able to accept no more than 12 free meals from lobbyists each year under new rules adopted Tuesday by a legislative ethics panel.

On a 9-0 vote, the Legislative Ethics Board agreed to define, for the first time, a state law that says lawmakers can accept food and beverage paid for by lobbyists on “infrequent occasions.”

The new limit will take effect Jan. 1 and be in force during the 2015 legislative session.

Under the rules, breakfast, lunch or dinner will qualify as a meal if at least some of the time is spent discussing legislative business.

However, the panel made clear that it was not seeking to change existing law which exempts receptions hosted by an organization at which a buffet is set up and lawmakers encouraged to drop by for a nibble and bits of conversation. While legislative business is served up at such events, they are not intended as a sitdown meal.

Tuesday marked the panel’s fourth public hearing to clarify the state law, an effort begun after the Associated Press and two public radio stations, KUOW and KPLU, reported on how some lawmakers received dozens of free meals.

Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, was spotlighted in the coverage for having benefited from free meals, drinks or golf on 62 occasions in the first four months of 2013, according to records.

Legislators must continue to report to the state Public Disclosure Commissioner when they are treated to a meal worth more than $50.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Pedestrians cross the intersection of Evergreen Way and Airport Road on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In Snohomish County, pedestrian fatalities continue a troublesome trend

As Everett and other cities eye new traffic safety measures, crashes involving pedestrians show little signs of decreasing.

The Mountlake Terrace City Council discusses the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace public express ongoing ire with future Flock system

The city council explored installing a new advisory committee for stronger safety camera oversight.

Crane Aerospace & Electronics volunteer Dylan Goss helps move branches into place between poles while assembling an analog beaver dam in North Creek on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Adopt A Stream volunteers build analog beaver dams in North Creek

The human-engineered structures will mimic natural dams in an effort to restore creek health in an increasingly urbanized area.

Ferries pass on a crossing between Mukilteo and Whidbey Island. (Andy Bronson / Herald file)
State commission approves rate hike for ferry trips

Ticket prices are set to rise about 6% over the next two years.

Marysville recruit Brian Donaldson, holds onto his helmet as he drags a 5-inch line 200 feet in Snohomish County’s first fire training academy run through an obstacle course at the South Snohomish Fire & Rescue training ground on Monday, March 26, 2018 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Voters approve fire and EMS levy lifts in Snohomish County

All measures in Marysville, North County Fire and Snohomish County Fire District No. 4 passed with at least 60% of votes.

Stock photo 
Homicides dropped by 43.7% in across Snohomish County while violent crime decreased 5.4%. In 2024, the county recorded 12 murders, just under half the previous year’s total.
Crime down overall in Snohomish County in 2024, new report says

Murder and sex crimes went down in Snohomish County. Drug-related offenses, however, were up.

Sound Transit breaks ground on massive Bothell bus facility

The 360,000-square-foot, $274 million facility will serve as a hub for the agency’s new bus rapid transit network.

In all of 2024, the total number of Washingtonians with concealed carry licenses increased by fewer than 6,000, compared to about 14,000 already this year, state data show. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/NJ Monitor)
Concealed carry licenses in Washington jump after approval of gun permit law

The number of Washingtonians licensed to carry concealed pistols is climbing rapidly… Continue reading

Fatal Everett crash kills Marysville man, injures two others Tuesday

The collision caused the engine block to separate from the vehicle and ignite a small fire

Public comment opens for cleanup plan at Paine Field site

The state Department of Ecology asks for public feedback on a plan to clean toxic chemicals from a training site at Paine Field.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood establishes its first Youth Council

The council will give people ages 14 to 19 a chance to serve on an official city commission. Meetings are expected to begin in 2026.

Everett
WSDOT to pause I-5 repairs in Everett due to weather

Construction — and the overnight lane closures that come with it — will resume on Sunday.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.