Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Local Government Committee

HB 2911

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.

Brief Summary of Bill

Allows charitable organizations to solicit donations while standing in a public roadway, when the charitable organization properly files an application with the local jurisdiction.

Background:

Local governments are authorized to enact ordinances to abate nuisances. Many municipalities have long had laws that place specific restrictions on begging or soliciting, such as laws that restrict begging by major roads, within a certain distance of an outdoor eating area or ATM, or that restrict begging at night.

Summary of Bill:

A charitable organization may engage in solicitation for charitable purposes while standing in a public roadway and to solicit contributions from passing motorists if the charitable organization files an application with the local government that has jurisdiction over the location where the solicitation will occur. The application must be filed no later than 10 business days before the date the solicitation will begin and must include the date(s) and times of day, location(s), and manner and conditions under which the solicitation is to occur.

The local jurisdiction must approve the application within five business days after receiving the application, but may impose reasonable conditions in writing, that articulate public safety concerns. The local jurisdiction does not waive or limit any immunity from liability by granting approval. A local jurisdiction is not prohibited from adopting an ordinance regulating the time, place, or manner of charitable solicitations in a public roadway by other persons or charities.