BILL REQ. #:  H-3140.1 

Read first time 12/14/11.   Referred to Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs.

     AN ACT Relating to incumbents appearing in public service announcements while campaigning for office; and amending RCW 42.17A.575.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 42.17A.575 and 2010 c 204 s 703 are each amended to read as follows:
     No state-elected official or municipal officer may speak or appear in a public service announcement that is broadcast, shown, or distributed in any form whatsoever during the period beginning ((January 1st)) at the time the official or officer files a statement of organization under RCW 42.17A.205 and continuing through the general election if that official or officer is a candidate. If the official or officer does not control the broadcast, showing, or distribution of a public service announcement in which he or she speaks or appears, then the official or officer shall contractually limit the use of the public service announcement to be consistent with this section prior to participating in the public service announcement. This section does not apply to public service announcements that are part of the regular duties of the office that only mention or visually display the office or office seal or logo and do not mention or visually display the name of the official or officer in the announcement.