SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6637

As Passed Senate, February 14, 2002

Title:  An act relating to financial disclosure by ballot measure sponsors.

Brief Description:  Requiring financial disclosure by ballot measure sponsors.

Sponsors:  Senators Kline, Gardner, Fairley, Keiser, Costa and Kohl‑Welles.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  1/28/02, 2/4/02 [DP].

Passed Senate:  2/14/02, 27-20.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Gardner, Chair; Fairley, Vice Chair; Hale, Haugen, Keiser, Kline and Swecker.

Staff:  Mac Nicholson (786‑7445)

Background:  A person filing a proposed initiative or referendum measure with the Secretary of State need not file a statement of financial affairs with the Public Disclosure Commission.

Summary of Bill:  Every person filing a proposed initiative or referendum measure with the Secretary of State must, within two weeks of filing the necessary signature petitions, file with the Public Disclosure Commission a statement of financial affairs for the preceding 12 months.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Requiring disclosure provides voters with more information about the initiative and the motivation behind it.  State policymakers (legislators) must file public disclosure statements and so should those looking to make policy through the initiative process.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Sherie Davidson, League of Women Voters; Pat Thompson, County and City Employees; Diane McDaniel, WA State Labor Council; Rowland Thompson, Allied Daily Newspapers of WA.