| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee | |
HB 2448
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
Brief Description: Changing the time frame covered by the twenty-one day preelection campaign finance report.
Sponsors: Representatives Hunt, Chandler, Appleton and Armstrong; by request of Public Disclosure Commission.
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
Hearing Date: 1/15/08
Staff: Tracey Taylor (786-7196).
Background:
In Washington, the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) is responsible for receiving,
processing, and auditing filings of political campaigns, lobbying and the financial affairs of
elected officials and candidates. The jurisdiction of the PDC includes providing access to those
filings, and ensuring compliance with disclosure provisions, contribution limits, campaign
practices, and other campaign finance laws.
Candidates running for state office must file personal financial affairs statements and campaign
disclsoure reports. Local office candidates in jurisdictions of under 1,000 registered voters as of
last year's general election have no reporting requirements. Those candidates in jurisdictions of
1,000 or more registered voters as of last year's general election must file financial affairs
statements. Local office candidates in jurisdictions of 5,000 or more registered voters, or
covering an entire county, must also file campaign disclosure reports.
At certain intervals of a campaign, a candidate or political committee is required to file a report
with the PDC and the county auditor or elections officer of the county in which a candidate
resides, or the county where the committee maintains its office or headquarters (if a committee
has no office or headquarters, then it is the county in which the committee treasurer resides). A
report is due on the twenty-first day and the seventh day immediately preceding the date on
which the election is held. In addition, a report is due the tenth day of first month after the
election. Monthly reports are due on the tenth of any other month if the candidate or committee
has received a contribution or made an expenditure in the preceding calendar month that exceeds
$200. The report filed 21 days prior to an election must report all contributions received and
expenditures made as of the end of the fifth business day before the date of the report.
Summary of Bill:
The report filed 21 days prior to an election must report all contributions received and
expenditures made as of one business day, instead of five business days, before the date of the
report.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 14, 2008.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.