HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 6369

BYSenators Nelson, Pullen, Vognild and Talmadge

Requiring quarterly reports on public office funds.

House Committe on Constitution, Elections & Ethics

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (5)

      Signed by Representatives Fisher, Chair; Pruitt, Vice Chair; Amondson, Barnes and Sanders.

House Staff:Kenneth Hirst (786-7105)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTION, ELECTIONS & ETHICS

FEBRUARY 19, 1988

BACKGROUND:

A public office fund is made up of contributions received by an official or the members of the official's family for the official's use in defraying nonreimbursed public office related expenses.  Monies from such a fund may not be transferred to a political committee or used to promote or oppose a candidate.

A disclosure report regarding contributions made to such a fund during the preceding calendar year and expenditures made from the fund must be filed with the Public Disclosure Commission during the month of January following the year covered by the report.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  Reports of contributions made to and expenditures made from public office funds must be filed with the Public Disclosure Commission on a quarterly basis.  The reports must be filed within one month of the end of the calendar quarter during which the contributions were received and the expenditures were made.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The amendment removes a reference in the original bill which is inconsistent with the quarterly reporting of public office funds.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Graham Johnson, Public Disclosure Commission; and Chuck Sauvage, Common Cause.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (1) The bill should be enacted and then the Legislature should develop legislation defining the proper uses of public office funds.  (2) Public office funds should be registered when they are first created.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.