FINAL 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 periodically adjusts these limits. Currently, individuals, unions, businesses, and political action committees are limited to contributing:

$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 party organizations. Currently:

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

Public hospital districts are local government entities that may be created, upon voter approval of a local ballot proposition, to provide health care facilities and services. To finance operations, districts may levy property taxes, charge user fees, and issue bonds. Since 1945, when they were authorized in state law, more than 50 districts have been created in 30 of Washington's 39 counties. Districts are governed by three, five, or seven-member boards of commissioners. Commissioners are elected by district voters to six-year terms.

Summary: Campaign contribution limits currently applying to candidates for the Legislature, county office, city council office, mayoral office, and school board office also apply to candidates for public hospital district boards of commissioners in districts with populations over 150,000. There are currently three public hospital districts in this class, two in King County and one in Snohomish County.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate	49	0
House	82	15	(House amended)
Senate	47	1	(Senate concurred)