Brief Description: Eliminating drop-in inspections of campaign accounts.

Sponsors: Representatives Nixon and Mielke.

Hearing Date: 1/16/03

Staff: Katie Blinn (786-7114).

Background:

The Public Disclosure Act requires candidates for elective office to document and report almost all contributions and expenditures of the campaign. Political committees must file campaign finance reports at regular intervals with the Public Disclosure Commission and the county auditor. The books of account must accurately reflect all contributions and expenditures on a current basis within five business days of receipt or expenditure, and within one business day during the last eight days of the campaign.

Political committees must keep the campaign accounts open for public inspection. On the eighth day before the election, the books must be open for public inspection for at least two consecutive hours between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the principal headquarters of the campaign, at the address of the treasurer, or at another location authorized by the commission. For the week prior to the election, the books must be open for public inspection by appointment between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the location designated by the campaign. Neither the candidate nor the campaign may refuse a request for an appointment, and the appointment must be allowed within 24 hours of the date and time requested.

Summary of Bill:

Political committees are no longer required to keep the campaign accounts open for public inspection for at least two hours on the eighth day before the election. Instead, for the eight days prior to the election, committees must make the books available for inspection by appointment between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the location designated by the campaign.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not Requested.

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