SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2617

As of February 26, 2002

Title:  An act relating to disclosure of employer and occupation information by certain political campaign contributors.

Brief Description:  Requiring further information about certain political campaign contributors.

Sponsors:  House Committee on State Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Linville, Romero, DeBolt, Quall, Kirby, Alexander, Morris, Dunshee, Bush, Hunt, Tokuda, Miloscia and McDermott).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government: 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Staff:  Mac Nicholson (786‑7445)

Background:  The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) is authorized to adopt rules to carry out the policies and purposes of the public disclosure laws, including rules regarding the reporting of campaign contributions.  Every two years, the PDC must revise the campaign contribution limits and other dollar thresholds listed in campaign finance statutes to reflect inflation.  By statute, candidates must report the names and addresses of contributors, the amounts contributed, and the aggregate value of contributions received from a single person.  The PDC adopted a rule in 1993 requiring candidates to also report the occupation and employer of contributors who contribute an aggregate of $100 or more.  The PDC amended the rule in December 2001, effective January 7, 2002, to raise the threshold amount requiring occupation and employer reporting to contributions over $100.

Summary of Bill:  Candidates are required to report the occupation and the name and address of the employer of contributors who contribute an aggregate of $100 or more.  The $100 threshold is not subject to inflationary revisions conducted by the PDC every two years.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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