Brief Description: Changing due dates for reporting of campaign contributions and expenditures.

Sponsors: Representatives Miloscia, Lovick, McDermott, Haigh and Chase.

Hearing Date: 1/30/04

Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).

Background:

The Public Disclosure Act (PDA) was enacted following passage of Initiative 276 in 1972. Among the stated purposes of the legislation was an intent to make information on political campaign and lobbying contributions available to the public. With a few exceptions, the requirements of the initiative applied to all election campaigns. The Fair Campaign Practices Act was enacted following passage of Initiative 134 in 1992. The latter initiative imposed campaign contribution limits on elections for state office. The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) is responsible for enforcing the laws relating to personal financial affairs reporting, lobbyist reporting, campaign finance reporting, campaign contribution limits, and independent expenditure reporting.

Current statute requires that the treasurer of a political campaign or committee is required to file reports of contributions and expenditures to the PDC as follows:

•    The day the treasurer is named, prior contributions received and expenditures made;

•    Twenty-one days and seven days immediately preceding an election;

•    The tenth day of the first month after the election (except for the period following the primary election by a candidate continuing in the general election, or any continuing political committee);

•    On the tenth day of each month in which no other reports are required but only if expenditures or contributions were made in the preceding month and that the total contributions or expenditures exceed $200 since the last report; and

•    Every Monday beginning on the first day of the fourth month preceding the special or general election for bank deposits.

The report filed 21 days before the election must include contributions and expenditures as of the end of the fifth business day before the date of the report. The report filed seven days before the election must include contributions and expenditures made as of the end of one business day before the date of the report.

Summary of Bill:

The report required to be filed 21 days before the election must include contributions and expenditures as of the end of one business day before the date of the report.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.