Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
State Government Committee

HB 1770

Brief Description:  Allowing contributions to primary losers.

Sponsors:  Representatives McDermott, D. Schmidt, Haigh, Miloscia, Dunshee, McMorris, Morris, Romero, Esser, Lambert, Schindler, Dickerson and Ogden.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Allows contributions to primary election losers to satisfy outstanding debt.

Hearing Date:  2/23/01

Staff:  Catherine Blinn (786‑7114).

Background: 

With the exception of contributions from political parties and caucus committees, individual contributions to a state legislative candidate cannot exceed an aggregate of $600, and individual contributions to other state office candidates cannot exceed an aggregate of $1,200, for each election in which the candidate is on the ballot.  Contributions for primary elections may not be made after the date of the primary, and contributions for general elections may not be made after the final day of the election cycle.

Summary of Bill: 

Contributions to a candidate or candidate=s committee for primary elections may be made for 25 days following the date of the primary if the candidate lost the primary, the candidate=s committee has insufficient funds to pay debts that were outstanding the day of the primary, and the contribution is only raised and spent to satisfy the outstanding debt.

Rulemaking Authority:  No express authority.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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