AGO Opinion Topics: PENALTY UNLAWFUL ISSUANCE BUILDING PERMITS

(1) Where a county has entered into a contract with a contractor for the performance of work by employees of the contractor which comes within the provisions of the industrial insurance (workmen's compensation) laws, the county is liable to the state of Washington for collection and remittance of monies due to both the industrial insurance accident fund and the industrial insurance medical aid fund on account of such work. (2) Where a county issues a construction building permit in violation of the provisions of chapter 20, Laws of 1965, Ex. Sess., (RCW 51.12.070) the county itself is not subject to a criminal penalty; however, if the violation is wilful, the county employee issuing the permit may be prosecuted for commission of a misdemeanor under RCW 42.20.100; in addition, the county may be liable to the state for resulting unpaid industrial insurance premiums depending upon the facts of a particular case.