SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2961

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:

State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections, February 21, 2018

Title: An act relating to election year restrictions on email updates from state legislators.

Brief Description: Concerning election year restrictions on email updates from state legislators.

Sponsors: Representatives Kraft and Hudgins.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/08/18, 97-0.

Committee Activity: State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections: 2/19/18, 2/21/18 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Allows legislators to e-mail updates to constituents only until the opening of the filing period or during any special legislative session.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, TRIBAL RELATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Hunt, Chair; Kuderer, Vice Chair; Miloscia, Ranking Member; Saldaña and Zeiger.

Staff: Samuel Brown (786-7470)

Background: Subject to some exceptions, state legislators are restricted from certain activities leading into the general election for their seat. Beginning on December 1 of the year before a general election for a legislator's seat, the legislator may not mail, either by regular mail or e-mail, to a constituent at public expense a letter, newsletter, brochure, or other piece of literature, except in certain circumstances.

Throughout the legislative session, and special legislative session, and up until the first day of the declaration of candidacy filing period, a legislator may e-mail regular or periodic updates on legislative matters to constituents that have either:

Summary of Bill: A legislator may only e-mail at public expense regular or periodic updates to constituents that request the updates, or that have been added to a distribution list, only until the first day of the declaration of candidacy filing period, or during any special legislative session.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This is a simple fix that will allow legislators to communicate via e-mail all the way through session, allowing us to stay in better communication with our constituents on a constant basis.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Vicki Kraft, Prime Sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.