Brief Description: Expanding campaign finance disclosure in small political subdivisions.

Sponsors: Representatives Miloscia, Hunt, Campbell and Dunshee.

Hearing Date: 1/24/06

Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).

Background:

The Public Disclosure Act, adopted in 1972, requires that political campaign and lobbying contributions and expenditures be fully disclosed. The law applies to all election campaigns with the following exceptions:

• for precinct committee officer;
• for federal elective office; and
• for an office of a political subdivision of the state that does not encompass a whole county and that contains fewer than five thousand registered voters as of the date of the most recent election.

Any exempted political subdivision may petition for disclosure. In order to be validated, the petition must include signatures of at least 15 percent of the registered voters as of the date of the most recent general election in the political subdivision, and be submitted to the Public Disclosure Commission (Commission). Signatures are verified by the County Auditor or elections officer of the county in which the political subdivision is located. Once the correct number of required signatures are verified, the Commission is required to notify every known affected person to file the required statements and reports within 14 days of the date of the order.

Summary of Bill:

The reporting provisions of the Public Disclosure Act apply to a candidate in any political subdivision if the candidate receives or expects to receive $5,000 or more in contributions.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 20, 2006.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.