BILL REQ. #:  H-2987.1 

Read first time 11/30/11.   Referred to Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs.

     AN ACT Relating to applying state campaign finance restrictions to elected federal officials campaigning for state office; reenacting and amending RCW 42.17.710 and 42.17A.560; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   This act may be known and cited as the campaign financing fairness act.

Sec. 2   RCW 42.17.710 and 2006 c 348 s 5 and 2006 c 344 s 31 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     (1) During the period beginning on the thirtieth day before the date a regular legislative session convenes and continuing through the date of final adjournment, and during the period beginning on the date a special legislative session convenes and continuing through the date that session adjourns, no state official, elected federal official who is a candidate for state office, or a person employed by or acting on behalf of a state official or such federal official or state legislator may solicit or accept contributions to a public office fund, to a candidate or authorized committee, or to retire a campaign debt. Contributions received through the mail after the thirtieth day before a regular legislative session may be accepted if the contribution is postmarked prior to the thirtieth day before the session.
     (2) This section does not apply to activities authorized in RCW 43.07.370.

Sec. 3   RCW 42.17A.560 and 2006 c 348 s 5 and 2006 c 344 s 31 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     (1) During the period beginning on the thirtieth day before the date a regular legislative session convenes and continuing through the date of final adjournment, and during the period beginning on the date a special legislative session convenes and continuing through the date that session adjourns, no state official, elected federal official who is a candidate for state office, or a person employed by or acting on behalf of a state official or such federal official or state legislator may solicit or accept contributions to a public office fund, to a candidate or authorized committee, or to retire a campaign debt. Contributions received through the mail after the thirtieth day before a regular legislative session may be accepted if the contribution is postmarked prior to the thirtieth day before the session.
     (2) This section does not apply to activities authorized in RCW 43.07.370.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.