HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1378
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 House Committee On:
Government Operations & Elections
Title: An act relating to aggregating the cost of related ballot measure advertisements for purposes of top five sponsor identification requirements.
Brief Description: Aggregating the cost of related ballot measure advertisements for purposes of top five sponsor identification requirements.
Sponsors: Representatives Hunt, Buys, Bergquist, Fitzgibbon, Van De Wege and Ormsby; by request of Public Disclosure Commission.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Government Operations & Elections: 2/7/13, 2/14/13 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Hunt, Chair; Bergquist, Vice Chair; Buys, Ranking Minority Member; Carlyle, Fitzgibbon, Orwall and Van De Wege.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Taylor, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Kristiansen and Manweller.
Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).
Background:
All written political advertising must include the sponsor's name and address. Political advertising that is broadcast must include the sponsor's name. Political advertising undertaken as an independent expenditure by a person or entity other than a party organization, and all electioneering communications must include a statement indicating that the advertisement is not authorized by any candidate, as well as information on who paid for the advertisement. If an advertisement is an independent expenditure or electioneering communication sponsored by a political committee, the top five contributors must be listed.
Political advertising costing $1,000 or more, that supports or opposes a ballot measure, and is sponsored by a political committee, must include a listing of the names of the five persons or entities making the largest contributions in excess of $700 during the 12-month period before the date the advertisement is initially published or presented to the public.
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Summary of Bill:
The requirement to list the top five contributors in political advertising by ballot measure committees is changed to require listing of the top five contributors be listed once the cumulative value of the advertising reaches the $1,000 threshold. Clarification is added that the identification of the top five contributors is not required to be listed on political yard signs.
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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.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This is a technical clean up bill to clarify that the top five requirement for ballot measure advertising did not include an aggregation of money similar to candidate advertising. To count each advertisement separately would allow committees to put together a series of small advertisements to avoid having to list contributors. This is consistent with other laws regarding aggregation of funds. The bill also corrects a couple of ambiguities relating to yard signs and small advertisements. It also clarifies that listing the top five contributors applies to broadcast as well as written advertisements.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Andrea McNamara Doyle, Public Disclosure Commission.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.