HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1747

BYRepresentatives R. Fisher, Belcher, McLean, Winsley, H. Sommers, P. King and Anderson;by request of Secretary of State

Eliminating charges for space in the candidates' pamphlet.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; Anderson, Vice Chair; McLean, Ranking Republican Member; Hankins, R. King, Morris, O'Brien, Sayan and Silver.

House Staff:Kenneth Hirst (786-7105)

AS PASSED HOUSE JANUARY 22, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Before each state general election held in an even-numbered year, the Secretary of State must publish and mail to each residence in the state a candidate's pamphlet.  The pamphlet contains the photographs and campaign statements of nominees for state and federal offices and certain other information.  The pamphlet may not be published for an election held in an odd- numbered year unless the election is to be used to fill a vacancy in a state-wide federal or state office.

Nominees for offices must pay fees for space in the pamphlet.  For example, nominees for U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative and Governor must pay $200 for an equal share of not less than two pages for each position; nominees for State Representative must pay $25 for an equal share of not less than one-half page for each position.  These fees must be used as a credit to offset the cost of printing the candidates' pamphlet and the voters' pamphlet regarding state ballot issues.

SUMMARY:

The provisions of the Election Code are repealed which require candidates for Congressional and state office to pay certain fees to receive space in the state's official candidates' pamphlet.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Brian Mohoric, Office of the Secretary of State.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The fees collected from candidates cover only 2 percent of the cost of printing the official candidates' pamphlet.  Eliminating the fees will eliminate the administrative cost and difficulties involved in collecting these small fees.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.