HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

Bill Analysis      Bill No. HB 1004

Regulating independent political advertising         Public Hrg: 1/22/97 

Brief Title

Rep. Carlson                                                       Staff Contact: Steve Lundin

Sponsor                                    Comm. on Govt. Admin.

                                           Phone: 786-7127

BACKGROUND:

Political advertising relating to a candidate that is undertaken as an independent expenditure is required to include a general statement that the advertising is not authorized or approved by any candidate and to include the name and address of the person paying for the advertisement.  If the advertisement is undertaken by a non-individual, the advertisement also must list the names of the top five persons or entities making contributions to the non-individual that undertakes the advertisement during the last 12 months.

These requirements do not apply to political yard signs, campaign buttons, balloons, and other forms of political advertisement where such identification is impractical.

SUMMARY:

New requirements are established for political advertisement relating to a candidate undertaken as an independent expenditure.

At least 10 days prior to distributing or airing such political advertising, the person or entity proposing to undertake the advertising must submit a copy of the political advertising, together with his or her name, address, and telephone number, to  each candidate running for that office.

If requested by any candidate running for that office, the statement that must be included in the political advertisement is altered to actually name the candidate who did not request did not authorize or approve the advertising.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.