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.