HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1770

As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to contributions made to a candidate who loses a primary.

Brief Description:  Allowing contributions to primary losers.

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

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

State Government:  2/23/01, 2/26/01 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/12/01, 98-0.

Senate Amended.

Passed Senate: 4/4/01, 33-16.

House Concurred.

Passed House: 4/13/01, 88-0.

Passed Legislature.

Brief Summary of Bill

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

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives McMorris, Republican Co‑Chair; Romero, Democratic Co‑Chair; Miloscia, Democratic Vice Chair; Schindler, Republican Vice Chair; Haigh, Lambert, McDermott and D. Schmidt.

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, but contributions for general elections may be made until November 30th, 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 30 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.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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

Testimony For:  Candidates are allowed to raise money to satisfy debt.  Candidates should not be precluded from taking donations from friends and family members who want to help the candidate satisfy debt.  The language of the bill is clear.  The candidate can only raise and accept money to satisfy existing debt.  The change in the law is fair since candidates that win the primary can continue to raise money, even if the money is used to satisfy debt incurred during the primary.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative McDermott, prime sponsor; Vicki Rippie, Public Disclosure Commission.