SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 2210
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. |
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections, February 23, 2012
Title: An act relating to extending contribution limits to school board candidates.
Brief Description: Extending contribution limits to school board candidates.
Sponsors: Representatives Billig, Carlyle, Lytton, Dahlquist, Asay, Fitzgibbon, Appleton, Warnick, Klippert, Hurst, Stanford, Kelley, Goodman, Ryu, Hudgins, Ormsby, Nealey, Hunt, Haigh, Hargrove, Finn, Tharinger, Santos, Moeller, Takko, Armstrong, McCoy, Jinkins, Probst, Van De Wege, Maxwell, Green, Sells, Reykdal, Ladenburg, Hasegawa, Pollet, Kenney and Kagi.
Brief History: Passed House: 1/27/12, 71-24.
Committee Activity: Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections: 2/20/12, 2/23/12 [DP, DNP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, TRIBAL RELATIONS & ELECTIONS |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Pridemore, Chair; Prentice, Vice Chair; Benton, Chase and Nelson.
Minority Report: Do not pass.
Signed by Senator Swecker, Ranking Minority Member.
Staff: Sam Thompson (786-7413)
Background: The Fair Campaign Practices Act, enacted in 1992, imposed campaign contribution limits on candidates, regulated certain independent expenditures, prohibited the use of public funds for political purposes, and required public officials to report gifts over a certain monetary level.
The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) may increase or decrease contribution limits based on changes in economic conditions in the inflationary index recommended by the Office of Financial Management.
Following recent adjustments by PDC, which took effect on January 27, 2012, individuals, unions, businesses, and political action committees are limited to contributing an aggregate of:
$900 per election to a candidate for the Legislature, county office, city council office, or mayoral office; and
$1,800 per election to a candidate for statewide state elective office (except judicial office) and port district offices in districts with more than 200,000 registered voters (currently the Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma).
Contributions to a candidate for statewide judicial office are also limited to $1,800.
Campaign contribution limits also apply to political parties, as follows:
State party organizations and legislative caucus political committees are limited to contributing, during an election cycle, an aggregate of $0.90 per registered voter in the jurisdiction from which the candidate is elected.
County central committees and legislative district committees are limited to contributing, during an election cycle, an aggregate of $0.45 per registered voter in the jurisdiction from which the candidate is elected.
Summary of Bill: School board offices are added to the list of public offices subject to campaign contribution limits. Accordingly, individuals, unions, businesses, and political action committees are limited to contributing an aggregate of $900 per election to a candidate. State party organizations and caucus political committees are limited to contributing, during an election cycle, an aggregate of $0.90 per registered voter in the school district. County central committees and legislative district committees are limited to contributing, during an election cycle, an aggregate of $0.45 per registered voter in the school district.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: None.
Persons Testifying: No one.