SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 6735

              As Passed Senate, February 10, 1996

Title:  An act relating to disclosure requirements for campaign contributions by gambling interests.

Brief Description:  Requiring disclosure of campaign contributions from gambling interests.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Trade (originally sponsored by Senators Pelz, Sutherland, Hargrove, Schow, Smith and Fairley).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Labor, Commerce & Trade:  1/30/96, 2/1/96 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 2/10/96, 49-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE & TRADE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6735 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Pelz, Chair; Heavey, Vice Chair; Franklin, Fraser and Wojahn.

Staff:  Patrick Woods (786-7430)

Background:  Washington law currently requires public disclosure of information regarding political campaign contributions, financing and lobbying records. However, contributions to political candidates or parties by all gambling interests are not specifically addressed in the public disclosure statute.

Summary of Bill:  Gambling interests are required to specifically disclose their contributions of $100 or more to political candidates. The Public Disclosure Commission is directed to establish the disclosure form.  Contributors are required to provide information on the percentage of gross revenues that are derived from gambling activities.

Political candidates and their treasurers are required to specifically disclose all contributions from gambling interests. This disclosure process is added to their ongoing reporting requirements.

The Gambling Commission may deny or revoke a license to any person or organization that does not disclose their political contributions. The Gambling Commission is authorized to inform licensees of their obligation to disclose contributions to political candidates.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 26, 1996.

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect on January 1, 1997.

Testimony For:  The bill will bring greater accountability with regard to political contributions involving gambling interests.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Pelz, prime sponsor (pro); Vito Chiechi, WSLB.