BILL REQ. #:  S-4789.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/01/06.   

     AN ACT Relating to campaign finance disclosure; and amending RCW 42.17.030 and 42.17.405.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 42.17.030 and 1987 c 295 s 18 are each amended to read as follows:
     The provisions of this chapter relating to the financing of election campaigns shall apply in all election campaigns other than (1) for precinct committee officer; and (2) for a federal elective office; and (3) 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 general election in the subdivision, unless required by RCW 42.17.405 (2) through (((5))) (6).

Sec. 2   RCW 42.17.405 and 1986 c 12 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, the reporting provisions of this chapter do not apply to candidates, elected officials, and agencies in political subdivisions with less than one thousand registered voters as of the date of the most recent general election in the jurisdiction, to political committees formed to support or oppose candidates or ballot propositions in such political subdivisions, or to persons making independent expenditures in support of or opposition to such ballot propositions.
     (2) The reporting provisions of this chapter apply in any exempt political subdivision from which a "petition for disclosure" containing the valid signatures of fifteen percent of the number of registered voters, as of the date of the most recent general election in the political subdivision, is filed with the commission. The commission shall by rule prescribe the form of the petition. After the signatures are gathered, the petition shall be presented to the auditor or elections officer of the county, or counties, in which the political subdivision is located. The auditor or elections officer shall verify the signatures and certify to the commission that the petition contains no less than the required number of valid signatures. The commission, upon receipt of a valid petition, shall order every known affected person in the political subdivision to file the initially required statement and reports within fourteen days of the date of the order.
     (3) The reporting provisions of this chapter apply in any exempt political subdivision that by ordinance, resolution, or other official action has petitioned the commission to make the provisions applicable to elected officials and candidates of the exempt political subdivision. A copy of the action shall be sent to the commission. If the commission finds the petition to be a valid action of the appropriate governing body or authority, the commission shall order every known affected person in the political subdivision to file the initially required statement and reports within fourteen days of the date of the order.
     (4) The commission shall void any order issued by it pursuant to subsection (2) or (3) of this section when, at least four years after issuing the order, the commission is presented a petition or official action so requesting from the affected political subdivision. Such petition or official action shall meet the respective requirements of subsection (2) or (3) of this section.
     (5) ((Any petition for disclosure, ordinance, resolution, or official action of an agency petitioning the commission to void the exemption in RCW 42.17.030(3) shall not be considered unless it has been filed with the commission:
     (a) In the case of a ballot measure, at least sixty days before the date of any election in which campaign finance reporting is to be required;
     (b) In the case of a candidate, at least sixty days before the first day on which a person may file a declaration of candidacy for any election in which campaign finance reporting is to be required.
     (6))) Any person exempted from reporting under this chapter may at his or her option file the statement and reports.
     (6) The campaign finance reporting provisions of this chapter apply to a candidate in an election for city or town mayor or council if the candidate receives or expects to receive three thousand five hundred dollars or more in contributions. The commission shall increase or decrease this amount pursuant to RCW 42.17.690.