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

HB 2350

Brief Description:  Regulating mail to constituents.

Sponsors:  Representatives Ruderman, McDermott and Nixon.

Brief Summary of Bill

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

Hearing Date:  1/22/02

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 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^th immediately following the general election.

Rulemaking Authority:  No express authority.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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