FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 2106

C 7 L 17

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning election year restrictions on state legislators.

Sponsors: House Committee on State Govt, Elections & IT (originally sponsored by Representatives Koster, Hudgins, Taylor and Shea).

House Committee on State Government, Elections & Information Technology

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:

With some exceptions, state officers and employees are prohibited from using state agency facilities and resources to assist with any election campaign. State legislators are specifically restricted from certain activities during the period starting December 1 of the year before the legislator's general election through November 30 after the election. In addition, legislators may not update their official legislative webpages between June 30 and November 15 of their election year. Violations of the communication restrictions are subject to enforcement by the Legislative Ethics Board.

During the restriction period, legislators may not send constituent letters or other literature by mail or electronic mail (email) at public expense. However, legislators may mail two general newsletters to constituents before and after the regular legislative session. Legislators also may send mail and email to individual constituents who request information during the legislative session.

Summary:

The election year restriction period during which a state legislator may not send literature to constituents is shortened to end on the election certification date.

The periods for certain permitted activities are aligned with the beginning of the candidate filing period, two weeks before Memorial Day. The two permitted newsletters must be mailed before the beginning of the candidate filing period. Legislators may mail or email updates to constituents on distribution lists during the legislative session until the beginning of the candidate filing period, as well as during any special legislative session. Finally, the freeze on updates posted to a legislator's official website starts with the candidate filing period and goes through the election certification date.

Votes on Final Passage: