SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5748

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.

Background: State law imposes limits on campaign contributions to candidates for certain public offices. The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) may adjust these contribution limits based on an inflationary index. Currently, individuals, unions, businesses, and political action committees are limited to contributing an aggregate of the following:

$900 per election to a candidate for the Legislature, county office, city council office, mayoral office, or school board office; and
$1,800 per election to a candidate for statewide elective office and port district offices in districts with more than 200,000 registered voters, currently the Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma.

Campaign contribution limits also apply to political parties, as follows:

state party organizations and legislative caucus political committees are limited to contributing, during an election cycle, an aggregate of $0.90 per registered voter in the jurisdiction from which the candidate is elected; and
county central committees and legislative district committees are limited to contributing, during an election cycle, an aggregate of $0.45 per registered voter in the jurisdiction from which the candidate is elected.

Public hospital districts are local government entities that may be created to provide health care facilities and services. Since 1945, when they were authorized in state law, more than 50 public hospital districts have been created. Public hospital districts are governed by three, five, or seven-member boards of commissioners. Commissioners are elected to six-year terms.

Summary of Bill: Public hospital district boards of commissioners are added to the list of public offices subject to campaign contribution limits. Accordingly, individuals, unions, businesses, and political action committees are limited to contributing an aggregate of $900 per election to a candidate. State party organizations and caucus political committees are limited to contributing, during an election cycle, an aggregate of $0.90 per registered voter in the public hospital district. County central committees and legislative district committees are limited to contributing, during an election cycle, an aggregate of $0.45 per registered voter in the public hospital district.