SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESSB 6330

                  As Passed February 8, 1996

Title:  An act relating to restrictions on mailings by incumbents.

Brief Description:  Extending mailing restrictions on incumbent mailings.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Strannigan, Haugen, Schow, Zarelli, McCaslin, Swecker, McDonald, Finkbeiner, Hargrove, Long, Roach, Heavey, Smith, Johnson, West, A. Anderson, Wood and Oke).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Law & Justice:  2/1/96 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 2/8/96, 45-2.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6330 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Smith, Chair; Fairley, Vice Chair; Goings, Hargrove, Haugen, Johnson, Long, Quigley, Roach and Schow.

Staff:  Martin Lovinger (786-7443)

Background:  Current law restricts mailings that may be made by a legislator at public expense during the 12-month period preceding the certification of the election results of the legislator's election to office.  The law does not restrict elected officials other than legislators, nor does it limit state or local agency directors.  The restrictions also do not address public service announcements.

Summary of Bill:  The current restrictions on mailings at public expense apply to each elected official and state and local agency director in the 12-month period before the last day for certification of election results of an election in which the official or director is a candidate.  During the same 12-month period, no elected official who is a candidate or state or local agency director who is a candidate may produce or distribute through the use of public facilities a public service announcement by print, broadcast, or other electronic media.  The office or agency may issue in the normal performance of its duties public service announcements that are not in the name of the official or director.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  The public expects public funds to be used for public purposes, not for private gain or for campaigns of elected officials.  The mailing restrictions have worked well for legislators and should be extended to other officials who are candidates.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Strannigan, prime sponsor (pro).