S-1286.1 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 5680
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 55th Legislature 1997 Regular Session
By Senators Strannigan, Heavey, Wood, Benton, Johnson, Deccio, Morton, Sellar, Rossi, Hargrove, Stevens, Zarelli, Swecker and Hochstatter
Read first time 02/07/97. Referred to Committee on Government Operations.
AN ACT Relating to restrictions on mailings by incumbents; amending RCW 42.17.132; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1. RCW 42.17.132 and 1995 c 397 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
During
the twelve-month period preceding the last day for certification of the
election results for ((a state legislator's)) an elected official's
election to office, the ((legislator)) elected official may not
mail to a constituent at public expense a letter, newsletter, brochure, or
other piece of literature except as provided in this section. During this
period the elected official may not produce or distribute through the use of
public facilities a public service announcement by print or broadcast media or
other electronic media. However, the office may in the normal performance of
its duties issue public service announcements that are not in the name of the
official.
((The))
During the twelve-month period before the last day for certification of the
results of an election in which a state or local agency director is a
candidate, the director may not mail to a constituent at public expense a
letter, newsletter, brochure, or other piece of literature except as provided
in this section. During this period the director may not produce or distribute
through the use of public facilities a public service announcement by print or broadcast
media or other electronic media. However, the agency may in the normal
performance of its duties issue public service announcements that are not in
the name of the director.
A state legislator may mail one mailing no later than thirty days after the start of a regular legislative session and one mailing no later than sixty days after the end of a regular legislative session of identical newsletters to constituents.
((The
legislator)) An elected official or state or local agency director
may mail an individual letter to an individual constituent who (1) has
contacted the ((legislator)) elected official or director
regarding the subject matter of the letter during the ((legislator's)) elected
official's or director's current term of office; or (2) holds a
governmental office with jurisdiction over the subject matter of the letter.
A violation of this section constitutes use of the facilities of a public office for the purpose of assisting a campaign under RCW 42.17.130 and 42.52.180.
The house of representatives and senate shall specifically limit expenditures per member for the total cost of mailings, including but not limited to production costs, printing costs, and postage.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.
--- END ---