HB 1196

Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS

State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee

HB 1196

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Regulating legislators' mail to constituents.

Sponsors: Representatives Hunt, Chandler, Appleton, Miloscia, Armstrong, Green, Morrell, Ormsby, Schual-Berke, Wallace, Lantz and Hasegawa.

Brief Summary of Bill

Allows campaign year legislative mailings via electronic mail beginning December 1 prior to a legislator's election and ending 45 days after the end of session.

Hearing Date: 1/24/07

Staff: Alison Hellberg (786-7152).

Background:

For the 12-month period preceding a general election in which a legislator is running for office, the legislator may not send to constituents, either by regular mail or electronic mail, a letter, newsletter, brochure, or other piece of literature. There are several exceptions to the rule:

The legislator may send two newsletters during the 12 month period;
The legislator may respond to constituent inquiries;
The legislator may send a letter to a constituent who holds a government office having jurisdiction over the subject matter of the letter; and
The legislator may send a letter to a constituent who has received an award or honor of extraordinary distinction of a type that is sufficiently infrequent to be noteworthy to a reasonable person, including the Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, or other awards listed in the statute.

A violation of the statute constitutes use of the facilities of a public office for the purpose of
assisting a campaign.

Summary of Bill:

The prohibition against legislative mailings by electronic mail only applies for the period beginning 45 days after the regular session in the year a legislator is running for office and continuing through November 30 immediately following the general election.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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