Description: The Office of the Attorney General of Washington is the state’s chief legal office, representing Washington state, its agencies, and citizens in civil and criminal matters; it provides legal advice to state officials, enforces consumer protection and antitrust laws, litigates on environmental and public-safety issues, protects civil rights, and coordinates multistate legal actions and investigations. Type: State government agency (executive branch office) Policies: Consumer protection and fraud enforcement; environmental protection and natural resources litigation; public safety and criminal justice policy; civil rights and civil enforcement; healthcare and Medicaid oversight; privacy, data security, and technology-related enforcement; antitrust and competition; regulatory enforcement and legal counsel to state agencies. Funding: Primarily funded through state appropriations from the Washington State general fund, with supplemental revenue from client agency fees, federal grants where applicable, and recoveries or settlements in litigation. Affiliates: Washington Governor's Office; Washington State Legislature; state executive agencies (for example Department of Ecology, Department of Social and Health Services); other U.S. state attorneys general and the National Association of Attorneys General.
