HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1510

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                  Government Administration

Title:  An act relating to filing statements of financial matters.

Brief Description:  Regulating statements of financial affairs.

Sponsors:  Representatives Wensman, D. Schmidt, Scott, Doumit and Cooper.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Government Administration:  2/11/97, 2/25/97 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 13 members:  Representatives D. Schmidt, Chairman; D. Sommers, Vice Chairman; Scott, Ranking Minority Member; Gardner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Doumit; Dunn; Dunshee; Murray; Reams; Smith; L. Thomas; Wensman and Wolfe.

Staff:  Steve Lundin (786-7127).

Background:  The public disclosure law requires elected officials, executive state officers, and certain legislative employees, to file statements of financial affairs for the preceding calendar year.

A financial disclosure statement discloses information on a number of subjects for the person who files the statement and his or her immediate family.  Expenses associated with an official appearing in an official capacity, including expenses related to attending seminars and educational programs, must be reported.

In certain instances such matters must be reported only if the value exceeds a specified amount.  The reporting of a value for these items is done using ranges of dollar values, rather than specific dollar amounts.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Beginning with calendar year 1997, the public employer of any person required to file a statement of financial affairs with the Public Disclosure Commission must file disclosures of reasonable expenses it authorized an official or officer to accept for appearing in an official capacity, including attendance at seminars and educational programs.

The official or officer would not have to report these items.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The emergency clause was deleted and the initial reporting by the employer will be in 1998 for expenses paid in 1997, rather than in 1997 for expenses paid in 1996.  Language was deleted that precluded the Public Disclosure Commission from requiring specific dollar amounts to be reported.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The employer keeps these records and should report.  The information must be reported - the only change is who reports the information.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Wensman, prime sponsor.