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Code Reviser office reports declining publication sales, $542,000 expected turnback and plans to share printer purchase with LSS
Summary
Staff reported lower sales of printed statute materials and an expected turnback to the state of about $542,000 for the fiscal year. Office leaders said they will share the cost of a new binding/printer with Legislative Service agencies and may use the publications (197) fund to cover publishing contingencies.
Office staff reported a decline in printed publication sales and described budget and equipment plans for the coming fiscal year.
Christopher Lewis, assistant code adviser, told the committee that 2024 distribution totaled 333 bound volumes—192 free copies and 141 paid—with about $20,000 in sales, down from 2023. "We distribute a 192 free ones, mostly session laws, and a 141 paid for a total of 333, close to $20,000 in sales," he said.
Kathy Buckley and other staff said the office expects to turn back approximately $542,000 to the state at fiscal year end, though that number may be slightly lower because of expenditures planned before the year closes. "We are expected to turn back into the state, $542,000. That number is gonna be a little lower. We are making some expenditures at the end of this fiscal year," Buckley said.
Staff described a planned joint purchase of a new printer and binding machine with the House and Senate through Legislative Service agencies (LSS) because the current machine is obsolete and parts are unavailable. Staff said the Legislature's publications account (commonly referred to in the meeting as the 197 fund) receives ongoing royalties—examples cited included payments from LexisNexis—and can be used for publication-related contingencies, such as shared equipment purchases.
Committee members asked whether paper sales are concentrated among particular customers; staff said libraries and some counties remain the primary buyers of paper copies, while many law firms and other clients have accepted electronic distribution. Staff also said they plan to delay filling one proofreader vacancy until fall to manage the slightly reduced budget and will absorb one retirement with an internal replacement already on staff.
Staff said they will continue to print sets of the RCWs despite declining demand and will reassess the necessity of continuing paper sets in the future.
