HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 6236

As Passed House ‑ Amended:

March 6, 2002

Title:  An act relating to mailings by legislators.

Brief Description:  Revising restrictions on mailings by legislators.

Sponsors:  By Senators West, Snyder and Gardner.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

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

Floor Activity:

Passed House ‑ Amended: 3/6/02, 93-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

(As Amended by House)

$The time period restricting regular mailings to constituents at public expense by a legislator who is a candidate for office is changed from December 1 through November 30 to December 1 through the day after the general election.  Electronic mailings are not restricted until the period beginning 45 days after the adjournment of regular legislative session through the day immediately after the general election.

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:  Marsha Reilly (786‑7135).

Background:

Originally passed as part of Initiative Measure 134, this state ethics statute restricts public funded mailings by legislators who are candidates for office.  Currently, mailings through regular mail or through electronic mail are limited during the period of December 1 of the year before a general election in which the legislator is a candidate for office through November 30 immediately following the general election.  There are some exceptions:

$Two mailings of newsletters to constituents are allowed, so long as the newsletters are identical in content.  One mailing may be made within 30 days after the start of a regular legislative session, and the other mailing must be within 60 days after the end of a regular legislative session; and

$Individual letters may be sent in specific response to constituents' requests for information, or to individual constituents who have received an award or honor of extraordinary distinction.

A violation of this statute constitutes use of the facilities of a public office for the purpose of assisting a campaign.

Summary of Amended Bill:

Changes regarding restricted mailings by legislators who are candidates for office are made.  The ending date for restricted mailings of regular mail is changed from November 30 to the day immediately after the general election.  Electronic mailings are restricted beginning 45 days after regular legislative session until the day immediately after the general election.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  None.