SENATE BILL REPORT

ESB 6093

As Passed Senate, June 10, 2003

Title: An act relating to funding and expenditures for official legislative association conferences.

Brief Description: Allowing soliciting to host official legislative conferences.

Sponsors: Senators Kohl-Welles, Sheahan, Hale, Brown, T. Sheldon, Spanel, Rossi, Zarelli, Benton, B. Sheldon and Shin.

Brief History:

First Special Session: Passed Senate: 6/10/03, 44-1.

Staff: Jack Brummel (786-7428)

Background: State ethics laws prohibit state officers and state employees from accepting gifts under circumstances where it could be reasonably expected that the gifts would influence their votes, actions or official judgment, or be considered as part of a reward for action or inaction. Limitations are also placed on gifts of a non-influential nature. Generally, gifts may not be accepted that have an aggregate value of $50 or more during any calendar year from any single source.

Summary of Bill: Gifts, grants, and other transfers of real and/or personal property may be solicited and accepted for purposes of hosting a national legislative association conference in the state of Washington, without regard to the $50 limitation on acceptance of gifts by legislative officers and employees.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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