SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5312

                            AS OF FEBRUARY 14, 1991

Brief Description:  Increasing penalties for misleading campaign practices.

SPONSORS:Senators Moore, Hansen, Sutherland, Madsen, Niemi, Pelz, Owen, Vognild, Stratton, Rinehart, Wojahn, Snyder, Gaspard, Murray, McMullen, Bauer, A. Smith, Talmadge, West, Saling and Amondson.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Staff:  Jack Brummel (786‑7428)

Hearing Dates:February 15, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Campaign and election practices change over time.  Some current practices may not have been contemplated when existing regulations were established.  The Public Disclosure Commission is not currently required to adopt standards or rules for fair campaign practices.

SUMMARY:

It is a gross misdemeanor for any person to attempt to persuade or dissuade voters through menace, intimidation, or threats, or to use false or misleading assertions, altered photographs, or out-of-context recordings which tend to promote or prevent a candidate's election.  Consultants or employees initiating or abetting the prohibited conduct are  subject to the same penalties as a candidate would be.  Commission of these prohibited acts or acts prohibited by fair campaign practice statutes may result in a voided election.

The Public Disclosure Commission is to adopt standards for fair campaign practices.

Appropriation: none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested