Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee |
HB 2500
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: Returning the initiative process to the people by enacting reforms relating to contributions to ballot measure committees.
Sponsors: Representatives Billig, Hunt, Appleton, Dickerson, Hasegawa, Reykdal, Liias, Ormsby, Sells, Fitzgibbon, Kagi, Miloscia and Santos.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/30/12
Staff: Thamas Osborn (786-7129).
Background:
The Fair Campaign Practices Act was enacted following passage of Initiative 134 (I-134) in 1992. The initiative imposed campaign contribution limits, 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. The contribution limits imposed by I-134 apply only to elections for statewide office and elections for state legislative office.
Contributions made by an individual, a union or business, or a political action committee are limited to an aggregate of $800 per election to a candidate for state legislative office or county office and an aggregate of $1,600 per election to a candidate for statewide office, port district office, and judicial office.
Campaign contribution limits are also imposed on political parties. State party central committees, minor party committees, and legislative caucus committees may contribute an aggregate of up to 80 cents per registered voter in the candidate's district for an election cycle. County central committees and legislative district committees may contribute an aggregate of up to 40 cents per registered voter in the candidate's district. County central committees and legislative district committees combined may not contribute to any one candidate an amount more than 40 cents times the number of registered voters statewide. These limits are adjusted for inflation by the Public Disclosure Commission every two years.
State law does not regulate financial contributions made to committees formed to support or oppose ballot propositions.
Summary of Bill:
A financial contribution by a person to a political committee formed to support or oppose a ballot proposition may not exceed $1,600 in the aggregate in a calendar year.
A political committee formed to support or oppose a ballot proposition may not accept a financial contribution from any person exceeding $1,600 in the aggregate in a calendar year.
The dollar limits applicable to financial contributions to political committees formed to support or oppose a ballot measure must be periodically adjusted for inflation by the Public Disclosure Commission in accordance with specified statutory requirements.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.