HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

 

                         Bill Analysis      Bill No. HB 1960

 

 

Limiting contributions for local offices                  Public Hrg: 3/597

Brief Title

 

Reps. Ogden/Pennington/Lantz                    Staff Contact: S. Lundin

Sponsor                                    Comm. on Govt. Admin.

                                           Phone: 786-7127

 

BACKGROUND:

 

No person or entity may contribute more than $500 to a candidate for the Legislature for a primary or general election.  No person or entity may contribute more than $1,000 to a candidate for a state-wide elected office for a primary or general election.

 

However, a bona fide political party or caucus political committee may make contributions as follows to such candidates during an election cycle:

 

oAn amount not exceeding 50 cents multiplied by the number of registered voters in the district or jurisdiction from which the candidate is elected, from a caucus political committee or governing body of a state organization; and

 

oAn amount not exceeding 25 cents multiplied by the number of registered voters in the district or jurisdiction from which the candidate is elected, from county central committees or legislative district committees.

 

The same limitations are placed on contributions to such officials against whom recall charges have been filed and to a political committee having expectations of making expenditures in support of such an official.

 

Commencing in 1994, these amounts are adjusted for inflation every two years by the Public Disclosure Commission.

 

SUMMARY:

 

Contributions are limited to candidates for the offices of county executive, county legislative authority,  city mayor, city council, port district commissioner, and public utility district (PUD) commissioner that are similar to existing limitations on contributions to candidates for the legislature and state elected offices. Varying limitations are provided for candidates for these county and city elected positions based upon the population of the county or city.  A single limitation on contributions

is established for port district and PUD commissioner.

                                                     Continued

HB 1960 - Page 2

 

 

These limitations are as follows:

 

Government - population

Limit on individual contributions

Limit on party contributions

Counties

 

 

     $ 1 million

        $1,000

   504 per. voter

     2 mill. - < 1 mill.

        $  750

   404 per. voter

     <  2 mill.

        $  500

   304 per. voter

Cities

 

 

     $ 2 mill.

        $  750

        N.A.

     < 2 mill.

        $  500

        N.A.

Port dist.

        $  250

        N.A.

PUD

        $  250

        N.A.

 

The same limitations apply to each primary or general election.  The same limitations apply to contributions to such officials against whom recall charges have been filed and to a political committee having expectations of making expenditures in support of such an official.

 

These amounts will be adjusted for inflation every even-numbered year by the Public Disclosure Commission every two years.

 

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

 

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