Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

State Government

 

HB 1103

 

Brief Description:  Regulating mail to constituents.

 

Sponsors:  Representatives Lambert, Ruderman, Esser, Miloscia, Buck, Pflug, McDermott, Simpson, D. Schmidt and Armstrong.

 

Brief Summary of Bill

 

$Removes the campaign year prohibition against legislative mailings by electronic mail except for the period between the 45th day after session until November 30.

 

 

Hearing Date:  2/5/01

 

Staff:  Jim Morishima (786‑7191).

 

Background: 

 

For the 12 month period preceding a general election in which a legislator is running for office, the legislator may not send to a constituent, either by regular mail or electronic mail, a letter, newsletter, brochure, or other piece of literature.  There are several exceptions to this general rule:

$The legislator may send two newsletters during the 12 month period;

$The legislator may respond to constituent inquiries;

$The legislator may send a letter to a constituent who holds a government office having jurisdiction over the subject of the letter;

$The legislator may send a letter to a constituent who has won an award or honor of extraordinary distinction like the Nobel Prize, or the Pulitzer Prize.

 

Summary of Bill: 

 

The prohibition against legislative mailings via electronic mail only applies from 45 days after the regular session in the year a legislator is running for office until November 30 of that year.

 

Rulemaking Authority:  No express authority.

 

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

 

Appropriation:  None.

 

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.