HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 1111

Title:  An act relating to charitable solicitations by commercial fund raisers and nonlocal fund raisers

Brief Description: Requiring a person making solicitation calls for charitable organizations to identify, at the beginning of the call, the city and state from which the call is being placed and whether the person making the call is a paid commercial fund raiser.

Sponsors:  Representatives Romero, Crouse,  Poulsen, Conway

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

TECHNOLOGY, TELECOMMUNICATIONS & ENERGY

Meeting Date: January 26, 1999

  Bill Analysis Prepared by: Anntonette Alberti, (786-7117)

Background: Prior to requesting a commitment for a contribution from a solicitee, charitable organizations and commercial fund raisers are required to make the following disclosures when soliciting charitable contributions:  (1) the name of the person making the solicitation; (2) the identity and principal place of business of the charitable organization; and (3) if requested by the person from whom funds are being solicited, the published number of the charitable organization in the Secretary of State=s office with which one can obtain financial disclosure information.  Commercial fund raisers are also required to identify the name of the commercial fund raising entity by which they are employed.

Summary: Charitable organizations and commercial fund raisers soliciting contributions over the telephone must make all disclosures at the beginning of the call so that the solicitee may quickly decide whether to terminate the call or listen to the solicitation.

In addition to the disclosures currently required by law, charitable organizations and commercial fund raisers soliciting contributions over the telephone must identify the city from which the call is being placed if the call is being placed within Washington state, or the state from which the call is being placed if the call is being placed from out of state.

A commercial fund raiser soliciting contributions over the telephone must also identify that he or she is a paid commercial fund raiser.

  Appropriation:  None

Fiscal Note:  None Requested

Effective Date of Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.