SB 6685

Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS

State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee

SB 6685

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: Regarding the ethical use of e-mail for legislative updates.

Sponsors: Senators Pflug, Tom, Roach, Fairley, Jacobsen, Marr, Hobbs, Kilmer, Rockefeller, Kohl-Welles, Delvin, Hewitt, Brown, Swecker, Weinstein, Morton, Kline, Parlette, Pridemore, McDermott, Benton, Brandland and Honeyford.

Brief Summary of Bill

Allows legislators to send electronic mail to constituents who have requested updates on legislative matters without violating the state ethics laws.

Hearing Date: 2/22/08

Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).

Background:

State ethics laws prohibit the use of public funds by a legislator for mailings to a constituent during the 12-month period preceding the last day for certifying election results for the legislator's election to office. During this 12-month period, a legislator may not use public funds to mail any material to a constituent, except as follows:

Two mailings of newsletters to constituents are allowed, as long as the newsletters are identical in content. One mailing may be made within 30 days after the start of a regular legislative session, and the other mailing must be within 60 days after the end of a regular legislative session; and
Individual letters may be sent in specific response to constituents' requests for information, or to individual constituents who have received an award or honor of extraordinary distinction.

A violation of this statute constitutes use of the facilities of a public office for the purpose of assisting a campaign.

Summary of Bill:

State ethics laws are amended to allow legislators to provide constituents with electronic mail updates on legislative matters throughout the legislative session up until 30 days from the conclusion of the legislative session. Legislative updates may be provided when constituents have specifically indicated that they would like to be contacted to receive regular or periodic updates on legislative matters.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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