In brief: Law threatens fines on official lobbying

OLYMPIA – State officials who ask the Legislature for more money or expanded programs could be fined – and pay the penalty out of their own pocket – if they don’t properly file lobbying reports with the Public Disclosure Commission.

A bill sponsored by Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley, sets up a civil penalty of $100 per statement on a state agency head who fails to file lobbying reports with the commission, and allows any state official or employee who improperly spends public money on lobbying to be fined.

Supporters say it’s a way to keep public money from being used to lobby for more public money. The law doesn’t keep state officials from supplying information in response to legislative requests.

Signed Wednesday by Gov. Jay Inslee, the law takes effect at the beginning of 2014.

Inslee signs law on wrongful conviction

OLYMPIA – A measure to compensate people who have been wrongfully convicted in Washington state was signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Jay Inslee.

The new law, which takes effect in July, allows those wrongfully convicted to file a claim in superior court for damages against the state. Someone must show the conviction was reversed or vacated based on significant evidence of actual innocence.