Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Government Operations & Elections Committee

HB 1378

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Aggregating the cost of related ballot measure advertisements for purposes of top five sponsor identification requirements.

Sponsors: Representatives Hunt, Buys, Bergquist, Fitzgibbon, Van De Wege and Ormsby; by request of Public Disclosure Commission.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires the top five sponsor identification be listed once the aggregated costs of related ballot measure advertisements total $1,000 or more by the same political committee.

  • Clarifies that top five contributor identification is not required to be listed on political yard signs.

Hearing Date: 2/7/13

Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).

Background:

All written political advertising must include the sponsor's name and address. Political advertising that is broadcast must include the sponsor's name. Political advertising undertaken as an independent expenditure by a person or entity other than a party organization, and all electioneering communications must include a statement indicating that the advertisement is not authorized by any candidate, as well as information on who paid for the advertisement. If an advertisement is an independent expenditure or electioneering communication sponsored by a political committee, the top five contributors must be listed.

Political advertising costing $1,000 or more, that supports or opposes a ballot measure, and is sponsored by a political committee, must include a listing of the names of the five persons or entities making the largest contributions in excess of $700 during the 12-month period before the date the advertisement is initially published or presented to the public.

Summary of Bill:

The requirement to list the top five contributors in political advertising by ballot measure committees is changed to require listing of the top five contributors be listed once the cumulative value of the advertising reaches the $1,000 threshold. Clarification is added that the identification of the top five contributors is not required to be listed on political yard signs.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.