HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

Bill Analysis      Bill No.  HB 1545

Authorizing public financing of

local political campaigns.

Brief Title                               Hearing Date: 2/9/99

Reps. Murray, Romero and McIntire          Staff: Steve Lundin

Sponsor(s)                          State Government Committee

                                              Phone:  786-7127

BACKGROUND:

Voters approved Initiative Measure No. 134 in 1992.

Among other provisions, Initiative Measure No. 134 prohibited the use of public funds from being used to finance political campaigns for state or local office.  Prior to the approval of Initiative Measure No. 134, Seattle and King County had programs where public moneys were used to provide public matching funds to candidates for county or city elective offices if the candidates agreed to spending limitations.

SUMMARY:

Any county with a population of 1 million or more, or city with a population of 500,000 or more, may establish a program where a candidate for a county or city elective office voluntarily agrees to abide by limitations on the amount of money that the candidate=s authorized committee spends on his or her campaign in return for receiving public matching funds to assist in funding his or her campaign.

At present, King County is the only county in the state with a population of 1 million or more and Seattle is the only city in the state with a population of 500,000 or more.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.