SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5505

BYSenators Talmadge and Rasmussen

Creating the election campaign financing trust fund.

Senate Committee on Judiciary

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 18, 1987

Senate Staff:Jon Carlson (786-7459)

AS OF FEBRUARY 16, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The amount of money raised and spent in Washington State's legislative campaigns has increased dramatically over the last fifteen years.  Concerns have been raised with respect to a select number of individuals and organizations that make large contributions and obtain disproportionate influence over the decisions of public officials.  Legislation is suggested which acts as an incentive for candidates to broaden their base of support and involve more individuals in the election process.

SUMMARY:

The Election Campaign Financing Trust Fund is established.  The funding is provided by a legislative appropriation.

A candidate for legislative office may request partial funding of his or her election campaign by filing with the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC). 

To be eligible for funding, a candidate must: 1) have opposition; 2) agree to abide by the expenditure limits; 3) raise qualifying matching contributions equal to 5 percent of the expenditure limit; and 4) submit to a post-election audit by the PDC.

The campaign spending limit is $40,000 for an election period.  The limit must be adjusted by the PDC every four years to reflect changes in the rate of inflation or deflation. 

Contributions that qualify for matching funds are those of $100 or less from individuals made after September 1 of the calendar year prior to the election.  Public funds are available on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis up to the $100 limit, and are based on contributions included in the campaign finance reports required by the Public Disclosure Act.

Any candidate who violates the spending limit or falsely reports qualifying matching contributions is subject to a fine equal to three times the amount in question.  Also, any candidate with surplus funds must return the entire surplus to the Election Campaign Financing Trust Fund. 

An independent or minor-party candidate qualifying for the general election is eligible for a maximum of 50 percent of the spending limit in public funds. 

Candidates for state legislative office may not accept more than $10,000 in aggregate contributions from continuing political committees.

Fiscal Note:      requested