Title: An act relating to campaign contributions.

Brief Description: Modifying campaign contribution provisions.

Sponsors: Senators Deccio, Kastama, McCaslin, Keiser, Honeyford, Shin, Benson, Jacobsen and Thibaudeau.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 1/23/06, 1/30/06 [DPS-WM, DNP, w/oRec].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6739 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators Kastama, Chair; Berkey, Vice Chair; Fairley, Haugen, Kline and McCaslin.

Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by Senator Pridemore.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senators Roach, Ranking Minority Member and Mulliken.

Staff: Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background: Contributions made by most persons to candidates for a state legislative office and for a state office are limited to $700 and $1,400, respectively, per election. The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) administers the statutes regarding contribution limitations as well as the other statutes generally concerning campaign finance.

Contributions and expenditures must be reported to the PDC. Electronic reporting is required of candidates and political committees with $10,000 or more in expenditures. The PDC may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Failure to file as required is a violation of the chapter.

Summary of Substitute Bill: Candidates for county, city, and town offices are added to those to which the $700 contribution limitation applies.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The Substitute bill removes special purpose districts from the bill, restores existing statutory requirements for electronic filing, provides for a transition from the pre-effective date to the post-effective date requirements of the bill, and provides an effective date of January 1, 2007.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Received on the original bill.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: January 1, 2007.

Testimony For: This bill levels the playing field and minimizes the room for mischief. The Legislature makes more local options available to local governments so they are a more important segment of government.

Testimony Against: None.

Testimony Other: One size does not fit all in local governments. Legislative districts have the same number of voters while the number of voters in special purpose districts varies. Remember that these are nonpartisan races, yet it can cost a lot of money to get a mailing out.

Who Testified: PRO: Senator Deccio, prime sponsor.

OTHER: Eric D. Johnson, Washington Public Ports Association.