HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2577

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      State Government

Title:  An act relating to late campaign contributions.

Brief Description:  Extending late campaign contribution limitations to all state‑wide elections.

Sponsors:  Representatives L. Thomas, Anderson, Reams, Horn and Dyer.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

State Government, February 1, 1994, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Anderson, Chair; Veloria, Vice Chair; Reams, Ranking Minority Member; L. Thomas, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Conway; Dyer; King and Pruitt.

Staff:  Kenneth Hirst (786-7105).

Background:  A provision of the state's public disclosure law that pre-dates Initiative 134 restricts the size of the contributions that may be made within 21 days of a general election.  No person, other than a state major political party, may make a contribution or group of contributions during this period which total more than $50,000 to a campaign for statewide office or more than $5,000 for any other campaign.

Among its other provisions, Initiative 134 limits the size of the contributions that may be made during a two or four year election cycle to candidates for state executive and state legislative offices.

Summary of Bill:  The provisions of the disclosure law that limit the size of the contributions which may be made within 21 days of a general election now apply to primaries and special elections as well.

Fiscal Note:  Requested January 25, 1994.

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

Testimony For:  The bill applies the current limit for contributions given in the 21 days before a general election to other elections as well.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Representative Les Thomas (in favor).