BP BHEAD INT H

AN ACT Relating to public disclosure filings by candidates for minor elective offices; amending RCW 42.17.030 and 42.17.240; and adding a new section to chapter 42.17 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 42.17.030 and 1987 c 295 s 18 are each amended to read as follows:

The provisions of this chapter relating to the financing of election campaigns shall apply in all election campaigns other than (1) for precinct committee officer; (2) for a federal elective office; ((~~and~~)) (3) for an office of a political subdivision of the state that does not encompass a whole county and that contains fewer than five thousand registered voters as of the date of the most recent general election in the subdivision, unless required by RCW 42.17.405(2) through (5); and (4) for an elective office that pays no salary, and the candidate voluntarily agrees to limit campaign expenditures in accordance with public disclosure commission options that are in effect upon the effective date of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 42.17 RCW to read as follows:

(1) As an alternative to filing the statements otherwise required under this chapter, a candidate for an elective office that meets both requirements of RCW 42.17.030(4) may, within fifteen days of becoming a candidate for the office, file a signed statement with the commission containing the following:

(a) The candidate's name, address, telephone number, and the position being sought;

(b) A "conflict of interest" statement that states that candidates for the position are not to have any business dealings or potential for business dealings where being elected to the position can influence the candidate's personal business, or a relative's business or financial situation;

(c) A statement that the candidate will not accept a salary, expense reimbursement, per diem, or any other benefits that exceed a total of one thousand dollars annually;

(d) A statement that the candidate will not spend more than one thousand dollars to campaign for the office;

(e) A statement that if one or more of these conditions are violated, that the candidate is subject to disciplinary action by the commission, with the maximum penalty options by law available.

(2) If a qualified candidate chooses this option, it is the only form necessary to be filed during the entire course of the election campaign.

(3) The commission shall develop a one-page form meeting the requirements of this section by September 30, 1994.

Sec. 3. RCW 42.17.240 and 1993 c 2 s 31 (Initiative Measure No. 134) are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Every elected official and every executive state officer shall after January 1st and before April 15th of each year file with the commission a statement of financial affairs for the preceding calendar year. However, any local elected official whose term of office expires immediately after December 31st shall file the statement required to be filed by this section for the year that ended on that December 31st. In addition to and in conjunction with the statement of financial affairs, every official and officer shall file a statement describing any gifts received during the preceding calendar year.

(2) Every candidate shall within two weeks of becoming a candidate file with the commission a statement of financial affairs for the preceding twelve months.

(3) Every person appointed to a vacancy in an elective office or executive state officer position shall within two weeks of being so appointed file with the commission a statement of financial affairs for the preceding twelve months.

(4) A statement of a candidate or appointee filed during the period from January 1st to April 15th shall cover the period from January 1st of the preceding calendar year to the time of candidacy or appointment if the filing of the statement would relieve the individual of a prior obligation to file a statement covering the entire preceding calendar year.

(5) No individual may be required to file more than once in any calendar year.

(6) Each statement of financial affairs filed under this section shall be sworn as to its truth and accuracy.

(7) For the purposes of this section, the term "executive state officer" includes those listed in RCW 42.17.2401.

(8) This section does not apply to incumbents or candidates for a federal office ((or)), the office of precinct committee officer, or an elective office exempted under RCW 42.17.030(4) if the candidate has filed a statement with the commission under section 2 of this act.