WSR 14-21-176

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed October 22, 2014, 10:05 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The application of campaign contribution limits to a candidate's authorized campaign committee and any other committee established, maintained, or primarily controlled by the candidate.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 42.17A.110.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In February 1994, the public disclosure commission adopted a policy that expressed the commission's interpretation that, for the purpose of applying contribution limits, a candidate's authorized committee would be affiliated with any other political committee that the candidate established, maintained, or primarily controlled by the candidate. At that time, only state office candidates were subject to contribution limits. The legislature has since passed legislation that applies contribution limits to judicial and certain local office candidates. The commission believes that converting its policy to rule will better inform the public and the regulated community of the commission's interpretation. The commission believes this is timely rule making considering the body of candidates subject to contribution limits is expanding and that it is becoming more common for candidates to establish and/or control political committees other than their authorized committees.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: At its December 4, 2014, meeting, the public disclosure commission will likely discuss the subject matter and possibly approve draft rule language.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Lori Anderson, P.O. Box 40908, 711 Capitol Way, Room 206, Olympia, WA 98504, e-mail lori.anderson@pdc.wa.gov, phone (360) 664-2737, toll free 1-877-601-2828, fax (360) 753-1112.

October 22, 2014

Lori Anderson

Communications and

Training Officer