PROPOSED RULES
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 00-16-147 [00-16-142].
Title of Rule: WAC 390-18-010 Political advertising--Identification of sponsor.
Purpose: To implement provisions in chapter 397, Laws of 1995 (ESSB 5684).
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 42.17.370(1).
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 42.17.505 through [42.17].550.
Summary: All political advertising, whether relating to candidates or ballot propositions, are required under RCW 42.17.510 to identify the name and address of the sponsor of the advertising. In 1995, statutory changes to RCW 42.17.510 eliminated the need for sponsor identification to be in a printed or drawn box for written political advertising and to have the sponsor identification appear on each page of the advertising. This rule reflects those changes.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: This rule mirrors the 1995 statutory language.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Doug Ellis, Public Disclosure Commission, 711 Capitol Way, Room 403, Olympia, (360) 664-2735; and Enforcement: Phil Stutzman, Public Disclosure Commission, 711 Capitol Way, Room 403, Olympia, (360) 664-8853.
Name of Proponent: Public Disclosure Commission, governmental.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: The rule would mirror the 1995 statutory language by eliminating the need for sponsor identification to be in a printed or drawn box for written political advertising and the need to have the sponsor identification appear on each page of the advertising.
Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: The rule would implement the statutory provisions found in ESSB 5684 and eliminate the need for sponsor identification to be in a printed or drawn box for written political advertising and the need to have the sponsor identification appear on each page of the advertising.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The implementation of this rule does not impact small businesses. It would only apply to businesses if they publish political advertising, however there would be no economic impact on such businesses.
Section 201, chapter 403, Laws of 1995, does not apply to this rule adoption. The Public Disclosure Commission is not an agency listed in subsection (5)(a)(i) of section 201. Further, the Public Disclosure Commission does not voluntarily make section 201 applicable to this rule adoption pursuant to subsection (5)(a)(ii) of section 201, and to date the Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee has not made section 201 applicable to this rule adoption.
Hearing Location: Commission Hearing Room, Evergreen Plaza Building, 711 Capitol Way, Room 206, Olympia, WA, on October 24, 2000, at 9:00 a.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Ruthann Bryant, (360) 753-1111.
Submit Written Comments to: Doug Ellis, Public Disclosure Commission, P.O. Box 40908, Olympia, WA 98504-0908, fax (360) 753-1112, by October 20, 2000.
Date of Intended Adoption: October 24, 2000.
September 20, 2000
Vicki Rippie
Executive Director
(1) For the purposes of RCW 42.17.510 and this rule, "sponsor" means the candidate, political committee or other person paying for the advertising. If a person acts as an agent for another or is reimbursed by another for the payment, the original source of the payment is the sponsor.
(2) With advertising for which no payment is demanded or for which a cost is not readily ascertainable, the sponsor is the candidate, political committee or person who solicits or arranges for the advertising to be displayed or broadcast.
(3) If more than one person sponsors specific advertising, the identity of each sponsor must be shown. However, if a person contributes in cash or in-kind to a candidate or political committee to assist in paying the cost of advertising, it is unnecessary to include that contributor's name as a sponsor provided the contribution is reported in accordance with applicable provisions of chapter 42.17 RCW.
(4) Printed advertising shall clearly state ((in a printed
or drawn box)) set apart from any other printed matter that it
has been paid for by the sponsor (Example: (1) Paid for by the
XYZ Committee, mailing address, city, state, zip code; (2) Vote
for John Doe, paid for by John Doe, mailing address, city, state,
zip code). Broadcast advertising shall conform to the
requirements of the Federal Communications Commission.
(5)(a) Political advertising consisting of more than one
page but intended to be presented as a single item (i.e. 3-page
letter with return envelope) must identify the sponsor on ((each
page)) the first page or fold of the advertising. Identification
on an en closed return envelope or the envelope in which the
advertising is sent is not sufficient.
(b) Political advertising which is a collection of several items relating to more than one candidate or committee and distributed simultaneously must show the respective sponsor on the respective items.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.370. 93-16-064, § 390-18-010, filed 7/30/93, effective 8/30/93. Statutory Authority: RCW 42.17.370(1). 85-15-020 (Order 85-03), § 390-18-010, filed 7/9/85.]