Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
State Government & Tribal Relations Committee
SSB 5857
Brief Description: Reorganizing statutes on campaign disclosure and contribution.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on State Government & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Hunt and Nobles).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Recodifies campaign finance and disclosure statutes into a new title under the Revised Code of Washington.
  • Makes technical changes to correct internal references.
Hearing Date: 2/16/24
Staff: Desiree Omli (786-7105).
Background:

Washington's campaign finance and disclosure law was first enacted by voter initiative in 1972 and is codified under chapter 42.17A of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW).  The law regulates campaign contributions and expenditures and requires the disclosure of campaign financing, lobbyist activity, and the financial affairs of elected officials, candidates, and executive state officers.  The Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) enforces campaign finance and disclosure laws and has the authority to develop procedures, adopt rules, investigate complaints, and impose civil penalties for violations.  The PDC is empowered to provide access to information about the financing of political campaigns, lobbyist expenditures, and the financial affairs of public officials and candidates. 
Summary of Bill:

The campaign finance and disclosure law and certain other related statutes are recodified under a new title of the RCW?Title 29B.  Numerous technical changes are made to correct internal references.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2026.