Brief Description: Modifying the disposal of surplus funds of candidates or political committees.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Berkey, Kastama and Kohl-Welles).

Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections
House Committee on State Government Operations & Accountability

Background: State campaign finance law expressly limits what can be done with surplus campaign funds. Surplus funds cannot be transferred to another candidate or political committee. Surplus funds can be returned to the contributor, used to reimburse a candidate's personal account, transferred to a political party or committee, donated to a charitable organization, deposited in the state general fund, held for a future election, or used for non-reimbursed expenses of public office. Specific requirements apply to each of these uses.

Summary: The oral history, state library, and archives account and the legislative international trade account are included among the allowed uses of surplus campaign funds.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      47   0
House      90   4   (House amended)
Senate      39   0   (Senate concurred)

Effective: May 13, 2005