Section 16-750-137 - [Effective until 1/1/2025] State noxious weed control board-Conflict of interest(1) When a member of the board is beneficially interested, directly or indirectly, in a contract, sale, lease, purchase or grant that may be made by, through, or is under the supervision of the SNWCB, in whole or in part, or when the member accepts, directly or indirectly, any compensation, gratuity, or reward from any other person beneficially interested in such contract, sale, lease, purchase or grant, the member shall:(a) Recuse themselves from the board discussion regarding the specific contract, sale, lease, purchase or grant;(b) Recuse themselves from the board vote on the specific contract, sale, lease, purchase or grant; and(c) Refrain from attempting to influence the remaining SNWCB members in their discussion and vote regarding the specific contract, sale, lease, purchase or grant.(2) When a board member has an interest, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, or has engaged in a business or transaction or professional activity, or has incurred an obligation of any nature, that is in conflict with the proper discharge of that board member's official duties, including the adoption of the state noxious weed list, the member shall:(a) Recuse themselves from the board discussion regarding the decision implicated by the board member's conflict of interest;(b) Recuse themselves from the board vote on the decision implicated by the board member's conflict of interest; and(c) Refrain from attempting to influence the remaining SNWCB members in their discussion and vote regarding the decision implicated by the board member's conflict of interest.(3) Under subsection (2) of this section, a board member has an interest that is in conflict with the proper discharge of their duties when the interest substantially impairs their ability to perform their duties as a board member in an objective and nonbiased manner. For example, a board member has such a conflict of interest where that board member is engaged in, or has a beneficial interest in an entity that is engaged in, the commercial production of a species that is being considered for addition on the state noxious weed list.(4) The prohibition against discussion set forth in subsections (1)(a) and (c), (2)(a) and (c) of this section shall not prohibit the member of the SNWCB from using their general expertise to educate and provide general information on the subject area to the other members.(5) If recusal occurs pursuant to subsection (1) or (2) of this section, the member of the SNWCB shall disclose to the public the reasons for his or her recusal from any board action whenever recusal occurs. The SNWCB staff shall record each recusal and the basis for the recusal.(6) Under subsection (1) of this section, "any other person" has a beneficial interest in a contract, sale, lease, purchase or grant when the other person bids or otherwise seeks to be awarded the contract, sale, lease, purchase or grant.Wash. Admin. Code § 16-750-137
Adopted by WSR 23-23-168, Filed 11/21/2023, effective 1/1/2024