HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1547

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 Passed House:

March 3, 2015

Title: An act relating to funding and expenditures for official national association conferences.

Brief Description: Authorizing funding and expenditures for the hosting of the annual conference of the national association of state treasurers.

Sponsors: Representatives S. Hunt, Holy and Condotta; by request of State Treasurer.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

State Government: 2/4/15, 2/5/15 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/3/15, 96-1.

Brief Summary of Bill

Establishes that soliciting and accepting gifts for the purpose of hosting the annual conference of the National Association of State Treasurers is presumed not to influence under state ethics laws.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives S. Hunt, Chair; Bergquist, Vice Chair; Holy, Ranking Minority Member; Van Werven, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Gregory and Hawkins.

Background:

State ethics laws prohibit state officers and state employees from accepting gifts under circumstances where it could be reasonably expected that the gifts would influence their votes, actions, official judgment, or be considered as part of a reward for action or inaction. Limitations are also placed on gifts of a non-influential nature. Generally, gifts may not be accepted that have an aggregate value of $50 or more during any calendar year from any single source.

Summary of Bill:

Gifts, grants, conveyances, bequests, and devises of real or personal property solicited on behalf of the annual conference of the National Association of State Treasurers is presumed not to influence under the state ethics laws, and may be accepted without regard to the $50 limit.

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) The State Treasurer is part of a national association of state treasurers that plans to hold its conference in Seattle in 2020. The bill makes the same exception to ethics statutes that the Legislature enjoys for its hosting its conference.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Scott Merriman, Office of the State Treasurer.