WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION ESSB 5143

SB 5143: Ethics in public service

Concerning the ethics in public service act.

Summary

  • Increases the gift threshold from $50 to $100 and excludes from the definition of gift the following: gift cards of $25 or less given to legislative employees and unsolicited gifts from legislators to legislative staff.
  • Makes modifications to activities that have a per se legislative nexus.
  • Removes costs from the combined $5,000 cap for penalties and costs imposed for violations of ethics laws, and removes the prohibition on ordering costs that exceed the amount of penalties.
  • Creates a definition of tangible legislative nexus and provides a list of specified activities with per se tangible legislative nexus for purposes of cases that require a legislative nexus for the use of state resources.

From the Engrossed Substitute House Bill Report (ESSB 5143), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 377, Laws of 2025
  1. IntroducedJan 13, 2025
  2. Out of committeeFeb 11, 2025
  3. Passed SenateMar 10, 2025
  4. Passed HouseApr 15, 2025
  5. GovernorMay 20, 2025
  6. LawMay 20, 2025
Prime sponsor
Chris Gildon (R-25)
Introduced
January 13, 2025 in the Senate
Last action
May 20, 2025
Session law
Chapter 377, Laws of 2025
Requested by
State agency
Versions
SB 5143, SSB 5143, ESSB 5143

AN ACT Relating to the ethics in public service act;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Chris Gildon (R-25)

2 co-sponsors (2 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Jamie Pedersen D-43T'wina Nobles D-28

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed March 10, 2025
Version voted on: ESSB 5143
48 Yea 1 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat29100
Republican19000
How each member voted

Yea (48)

Nay (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed April 15, 2025
Version voted on: ESSB 5143
78 Yea 18 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat50801
Republican281001
How each member voted

Yea (78)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the House on Reconsideration

Passed April 15, 2025
Version voted on: ESSB 5143
70 Yea 26 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat461201
Republican241401
How each member voted

Yea (70)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed April 23, 2025
Version voted on: ESSB 5143
58 Yea 39 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat461300
Republican122601
How each member voted

Yea (58)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed April 24, 2025
Version voted on: ESSB 5143
45 Yea 1 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat27002
Republican18100
How each member voted

Yea (45)

Nay (1)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025*. (ESSB 5143)
  2. Chapter 377, 2025 Laws. (ESSB 5143)
  3. Governor signed. (ESSB 5143)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (ESSB 5143)
  5. Speaker signed. (ESSB 5143)
  6. President signed. (ESSB 5143)
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 45; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 2. (ESSB 5143)
  8. Senate concurred in House amendments. (ESSB 5143)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 58; nays, 39; absent, 0; excused, 1. (ESSB 5143)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 5143)
  11. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESSB 5143)
  12. Returned to second reading for amendment. (ESSB 5143)
  13. Senate refuses to concur in House amendments. Asks House to recede from amendments. (ESSB 5143)
  14. Third reading, passed; yeas, 78; nays, 18; absent, 0; excused, 2. (ESSB 5143)
  15. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 5143)
  16. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESSB 5143)
  17. Third reading, passed; yeas, 70; nays, 26; absent, 0; excused, 2. (ESSB 5143)
  18. Vote on third reading will be reconsidered. (ESSB 5143)
  19. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (ESSB 5143)
  20. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (ESSB 5143)
  21. SGOV - Majority; do pass. (ESSB 5143)
  22. SGOV - Executive action taken by committee. (ESSB 5143)
  23. First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations. (ESSB 5143)
  24. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 0. (ESSB 5143)
  25. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 5143)
  26. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESSB 5143)
  27. 1st substitute bill substituted. (ESSB 5143)
  28. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  29. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (ESSB 5143)
  30. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  31. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (ESSB 5143)
  32. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  33. SGTE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (ESSB 5143)
  34. Minority; without recommendation. (ESSB 5143)
  35. Minority; without recommendation.
  36. SGTE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  37. First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.
  38. Prefiled for introduction.

SB 5143 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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