HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2350

As Passed House:

February 8, 2002

Title:  An act relating to restrictions on mailing by legislators.

Brief Description:  Regulating mail to constituents.

Sponsors:  By Representatives Ruderman, McDermott and Nixon.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

State Government:  1/22/02, 1/24/02 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/8/02, 97-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Changes the campaign year prohibition against legislative mailings by electronic mail to allow these mailings for the period beginning December 1 prior to a legislator's election and ending 45 days after the end of session.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Romero, Chair; Miloscia, Vice Chair; McMorris, Ranking Minority Member; McDermott, Schindler, Schmidt and Upthegrove.

Staff:  Bree Ramage (786‑7617).

Background:

For the 12 month period preceding a general election in which a legislator is running for office, the legislator may not send to a constituent, either by regular mail or electronic mail, a letter, newsletter, brochure, or other piece of literature.  There are several exceptions to this general rule:

$The legislator may send two newsletters during the 12 month period;

$The legislator may respond to constituent inquiries;

$The legislator may send a letter to a constituent who holds a government office having jurisdiction over the subject matter of the letter;

$The legislator may send a letter to a constituent who has received an award or honor of extraordinary distinction such as the Nobel prize or the Pulitzer prize.

Summary of Bill:

The campaign year prohibition against legislative mailings by electronic mail only applies for the period beginning 45 days after the regular session in the year a legislator is running for office and continuing through November 30 immediately following the general election.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill started because constituents wanted to be able to receive e-mail newsletters from legislators.  Constituents believed it was part of a legislator=s job to keep them informed.  The intent is to communicate with people who are interested in getting updates.  Constituents rely on communications legislators provide in e-mail.  As both a constituent and a prospective candidate, challengers also want legislators to be able to send out e-mail to constituents.  The concern over staff use is not a fair concern because the cost of e-mail is de minimis. Email is the most effective way to keep constituents informed.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Ruderman, prime sponsor; Representative Nixon, co-sponsor; and Kathy Lambert.