Brief Description: Shortening the statute of limitations on claims under chapter 42.17 RCW.

Sponsors: By House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Hunt, Chandler, Williams, Ormsby and Condotta).

House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs
Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections

Background:

State law governs campaign financing, lobbyist reporting, political advertising and electioneering communications, reporting of public officials' financial affairs, and campaign contribution limits. Among other duties, the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) enforces this law. Citizen actions are also authorized if there is reason to believe that the law is being violated.

Several civil remedies and sanctions may be imposed by a court order for violations, including:

• If a candidate or political committee violates any provision of this law, the outcome of the election may be held void.
• If a lobbyist or sponsor of any grassroots lobbying campaign violates any provision of this law, his or her registration may be revoked or suspended and he or she may be enjoined from receiving compensation or making expenditures for lobbying.
• A person who violates this law may be liable for a civil penalty.
• A person who fails to report under this law may be liable for $10 each day the delinquency continues.

Any action brought under this law must be commenced within five years of the violation.

Summary:

Any citizen's action brought under the state law governing campaign financing and related reporting must be commenced within two years of the violation.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   94   0
Senate   49   0

Effective: July 22, 2007