Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

 ANALYSIS

State Government Committee

 

 

SB 6637

 

Brief Description:  Requiring financial disclosure by ballot measure sponsors.

 

Sponsors:  Senators Kline, Gardner, Fairley, Keiser, Costa and Kohl‑Welles.

 

Brief Summary of Bill

$Requiring financial affairs statements for every person filing a proposed initiative or referendum measure with the Office of the Secretary of State.

 

 

Hearing Date:  2/28/02

 

Staff:  Bree Ramage (786‑7617).

 

Background:

 

Elected officials, executive state officers, and candidates must file a financial affairs statement with the Public Disclosure Commission.  Persons filing a proposed initiative or referendum measure with the Office of the Secretary of State are not required to file a financial affairs statement.

 

A financial affairs statement discloses the following information for the reporting individual and each member of his or her immediate family:

$Income, employment and compensation;

$Real estate with an assessed value over $7,500 that is located in Washington State and was sold, acquired, or owned during the reporting period;

$Bank accounts, insurance policies which exceed $15,000, and other investments and intangible property such as stocks and bonds which exceed $1,500;

$Creditors owed $1,500 or more;

$Relationships with businesses, organizations, associations, unions, governmental bodies and such that could potentially impact the decisions one makes as a  public official;

$State‑level lobbying undertaken for compensation; and

$Reportable gifts of food and beverages costing over $50, travel occasions, seminars, course fees, educational programs, or other training that were paid for by a source other than oneself or one's own governmental agency.

 

The reporting time period is specific to the type of person reporting.  For example, the previous 12 calendar months is the reporting period for:  1) persons newly appointed to fill a vacant state or local elected office; 2) persons newly appointed to fill a vacant state executive office; 3) persons appointed to fill a newly created executive state office; or 4) candidates for local or state elected office.

 

Initiative measures submitted to the people must be filed within 10 months prior to the election, and the petitions at least four months before the election.  Initiative measures submitted to the Legislature must be filed within 10 months prior to the election, and the petitions at least 10 days before the regular session of the Legislature.  A petition ordering any part of an act passed by the Legislature to be referred to the people must be filed within 90 days after the adjournment of the legislative session.  All filings are with the Office of the Secretary of State.     

 

Summary of Bill:

 

Every person who files a proposed initiative or referendum measure with the Office of the Secretary of State must file a financial affairs statement for the preceding 12 months within two weeks of filing the signature petitions.

 

Rulemaking Authority: No express authority.

 

Appropriation:  None.

 

Fiscal Note:  Available.

 

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