Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

State Government Committee

HB 2299

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:

The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) was created in 1973 through the enactment of Citizens' Intitiative 276. The PDC provides public access to campaign finance information, lobbying expenditures, and financial affairs of public officials and candidates. The PDC also enforces compliance with state campaign finance and disclosure laws. Lobbying reports are available to the public on the PDC website.

Lobbyists and lobbyist employers are required to register with the PDC. Lobbyists must report lobbying activity and expenditures monthly, and lobbyist employers must report expenditures annually. Electronic filing is available to lobbyists and employers but is not required.

State and local agencies may use public funds for lobbying activities only to provide information or advocate official agency interests and positions. All public agencies are required to report lobbying activity quarterly. Electronic filing is mandatory for state agencies. Electronic filing is encouraged for local agencies but is not required.

Summary of Bill:

Local agencies must file lobbying reports electronically as of the effective date of the act. By January 1, 2018, individual lobbyists and lobbyist employers must file lobbying reports electronically. The PDC must design, develop, implement, and maintain computer hardware and software or other applications compatible with its current operating systems to accommodate electronic filings. The system must result in readily available data to the public for review and analysis.