Title: An act relating to inspection of political candidates' contributions and expenditures.

Brief Description: Eliminating drop-in inspections of campaign accounts.

Sponsors: Representatives Nixon, Haigh, Kenney and Shabro.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/11/05, 98-0.

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 3/24/05, 3/28/05 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Kastama, Chair; Berkey, Vice Chair; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Fairley, Haugen, Kline, Mulliken and Pridemore.

Staff: Mac Nicholson (786-7445)

Background: Candidates, or campaign treasurers, must maintain books that accurately reflect all contributions and expenditures, and these books must be open for public inspection. On the eighth day before the election, the books must be open for public inspection for at least two consecutive hours between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the principal headquarters of the campaign, at the address of the treasurer, or at another location authorized by the Public Disclosure Commission. For the week prior to the election, the books must be open for public inspection by appointment between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. at a location designated by the campaign.

Summary of Bill: The requirement that a political committee's books be open for inspection for two consecutive hours on the eighth day prior to an election is removed. The seven day period during which inspection is available by appointment is changed to an eight day period.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: Notice of the drop-in inspection period is posted on the internet, and anyone off the street is allowed to inspect the books in the office with no notice, and this can create a safety risk for the treasurers or candidates. The bill provides that records remain available for inspection and actually increases the number of hours during which an individual can inspect campaign books. The bill will also help prevent inadvertent violations of public disclosure laws, as some campaigns aren't even aware of the drop-in requirement.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Representative Nixon, prime sponsor; Doug Ellis, Public Disclosure Commission.