BILL REQ. #: H-4929.1

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SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2898
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State of Washington

59th Legislature

2006 Regular Session

By House Committee on State Government Operations & Accountability (originally sponsored by Representatives Hunt and Williams)

READ FIRST TIME 02/03/06.

AN ACT Relating to distribution of communications by state employees; and adding a new section to chapter 42.52 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 42.52 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Nothing in this chapter prohibits a state employee from distributing communications from an employee organization or charitable organization to other state employees if the communications do not support or oppose a ballot proposition or candidate for federal, state, or local public office. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize any lobbying activity with public funds beyond the activity permitted by RCW 42.17.190.
     (2) "Employee organization," for purposes of this section, means any organization, union, or association in which employees participate and that exists for the purpose of collective bargaining with employers or for the purpose of opposing collective bargaining or certification of a union.

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