FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1375

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.

Background:

The Fair Campaign Practices Act limits campaign contributions, regulates independent expenditures, restricts the use of public funds for political purposes, and requires public officials to report gifts received in excess of $50.

Campaign contribution limits apply to candidates for: judicial office, state office, legislative office, and certain local elected offices including county office, mayoral office, city council, school board office, judicial office, certain public hospital district boards of commissioners, and special purpose district offices if the district is authorized to provide freight and passenger transfer and terminal facilities, and the district has over 200,000 registered voters. A special purpose district that is authorized to provide freight and passenger transfer and terminal facilities includes port districts.

There are two port districts that have over 200,000 registered voters: the Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma. For 2019, state parties and caucus political parties may contribute an aggregate of up to $1.00 per registered voter to any one port district candidate for a port district. County central committees and legislative district committees combined may not contribute to any one candidate an amount more than $0.50 per registered voter. Contribution by an individual, a union or business, or a political action committee are limited to an aggregate of $2,000 per election to a port district candidate.

These limits are adjusted for inflation by the Public Disclosure Commission at the beginning of each even-numbered calendar year.

Votes on Final Passage:

House	98	0
Senate	47	0