H-3707.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 2801

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      53rd Legislature     1994 Regular Session

By Representatives Heavey, Zellinsky, Springer, Schmidt, Mielke, Finkbeiner and Johanson

Read first time 01/24/94.  Referred to Committee on State Government.

Revising restrictions on mailings by state legislators.

    AN ACT Relating to restrictions on mailings by state legislators; and amending RCW 42.17.132.

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

    Sec. 1.  RCW 42.17.132 and 1993 c 2 s 25 (Initiative Measure No. 134) are each amended to read as follows:

    During the twelve-month period preceding the expiration of a state legislator's term in office, no incumbent to that office may mail to a constituent at public expense a letter, newsletter, brochure, or other piece of literature that is not in direct response to that constituent's request for a response or for information.  A constituent's contact of a legislator shall be deemed to be a request for a response from that legislator, including contact by verbal communication, letter, sign language, telegram, hot-line message, telephone, E-mail, other methods of electronic communication, and other normal means of communication.  However, one mailing mailed within thirty days after the start of a regular legislative session and one mailing mailed within sixty days after the end of a regular legislative session of identical newsletters to constituents are permitted.  A violation of this section constitutes use of the facilities of a public office for the purpose of assisting a campaign under RCW 42.17.130.

    The house of representatives and senate shall specifically limit expenditures per member for the total cost of mailings, including but not limited to production costs, printing costs, and postage.

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