SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5029
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. |
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Government Operations & Elections, January 29, 2009
Title: An act relating to reorganizing and making technical clarifications to campaign contribution and disclosure laws.
Brief Description: Recodifying and making technical clarifications to campaign funding and disclosure laws.
Sponsors: Senators Oemig, Fairley, Roach, Swecker and McDermott; by request of Public Disclosure Commission.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 1/22/09, 1/29/09 [DP, w/oRec].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Fairley, Chair; Oemig, Vice Chair; McDermott, Pridemore and Swecker.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senator Benton.
Staff: Sharon Swanson (786-7447)
Background: Initiative 276, passed by voters in 1972, established disclosure of campaign finances, lobbyist activities, financial affairs of elective officers and candidates, and access to public records. That initiative also created the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC), a five member, bi-partisan citizen commission, to enforce the provisions of the campaign finance disclosure law.
Twenty years later, in 1992, the Fair Campaign Practices Act was enacted following passage of Initiative 134. Initiative 134 imposed campaign contribution limits on elections for statewide and legislative office, further regulated independent expenditures, restricted the use of public funds for political purposes, and required public officials to report gifts received in excess of $50.
Since the enactment of these initiatives numerous changes and additions have been made, including the enactment of SHB 1133 resulting in a re-codification of the public records portion of the Public Disclosure Act into a new chapter, chapter 42.56 RCW.
Summary of Bill: Chapter 42.17 RCW is reorganized and language is clarified. Obsolete provisions relating to the information technology plan and electronic filing are removed. The provisions repealed in RCW 42.17.131, 42.17.362, 42.17.365, 42.17.375, 42.17.562, 42.17.620, and 42.17.647 are included in other statutes.
The definition of "person of interest" is moved from chapter 42.17 RCW and placed in 42.56 RCW as the term is applicable to the public records statutes.
Contribution dollar amounts are updated and technical changes are made to clarify language.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2011.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The changes in the bill are clean up. Monetary amounts have been updated to match the increases made through rules to allow for inflation. The intent section clarifies that the intent is not to make substantive changes to the law; rather it is to clean up the statute and to make it clear and user friendly for the people trying to stay in compliance with this complicated area of law.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Vicki Rippie, Public Disclosure Commission.