HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5188

As Reported by House Committee On:

State Government

Title:  An act relating to surplus political funds.

Brief Description:  Providing an alternative manner of dispersing surplus political funds.

Sponsors:  Senator McCaslin.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

State Government:  2/22/02, 2/28/02 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

$Surplus funds of a candidate or a political committee may be donated to a school, school district, or educational service district.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Romero, Chair; Miloscia, Vice Chair; McMorris, Ranking Minority Member; McDermott, Schindler and Schmidt.

Staff:  Kimberly Berry (786‑7291).

Background:

After a campaign, the surplus funds of a candidate or a political committee supporting or opposing a candidate may be disposed of in several ways:

$Returned to contributors in an amount not exceeding their original contributions;

$transferred to the candidate as reimbursement for lost earnings incurred as a result of the campaign;

$transferred to a political party or a caucus political committee;

$donated to a charity;

$deposited in the state general fund;

$retained in a campaign depository for use in a future campaign; or

$retained in a separate account for non‑reimbursed public office‑related expenses.

Summary of Bill:

Surplus funds of a candidate or a political committee may be donated to a school, school district, or educational service district.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  None.