HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1884

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      State Government

Title:  An act relating to public inspection of books of account maintained by candidates or authorized committees.

Brief Description:  Providing appointments to inspect campaign account books.

Sponsors:  Representatives Lambert, Ogden, Cairnes and Campbell.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

State Government:  2/19/99, 3/2/99 [DPS].

           Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$Limits the time books of account must open to public inspections to a two-hour period eight days prior to a primary or election and by appointment at other times closer to the primary or election.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 7 members:  Representatives McMorris, Republican Co-Chair; Romero, Democratic Co-Chair; Campbell, Republican Vice Chair; Miloscia, Democratic Vice Chair; Haigh; Lambert and D. Schmidt.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Dunshee.

Staff:  Steve Lundin (786-7127).

Background:

A candidate, or the treasurer of a candidate's authorized committee, must maintain books of account accurately reflecting all contributions and expenditures on a current basis within five business days of the receipt or expenditure.

However, during the eight days prior to an election or primary, the books of account must be kept current within one business day.  During this eight-day period, the books of account must be open for public inspection for at least two consecutive hours, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays, at the principal headquarters or the address of the treasurer of such other place as authorized by the Public Disclosure Commission.  The committee's statement of organization that is filed with the Public Disclosure Commission specifies which consecutive two hours of each day the books of account are open for public inspection.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The requirement for keeping an authorized committee's books of account open for public inspection during the eight-day period prior to an election or primary is altered.

The books of account must be open for public inspection for at least two consecutive hours on the eighth day before the election or primary.  If an appointment is made, the books of account must also be open for public inspection to be conducted from 8:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m. on the seventh day through the day immediately before the election or primary, but not including Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Language was deleted requiring the appointment to be made during the eighth day prior to the election or primary.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  (Original bill) Almost no one comes and checks on books of account.  This is a silly rule.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified:  Representative Lambert, prime sponsor, and Melissa Warheit, Public Disclosure Commission.