WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Legislature passes Pellicciotti bill requiring PAC transparency

OLYMPIA – Legislation requiring more transparency from political action committees (PACs) was passed by the Legislature on Monday.

Sponsored by Rep. Mike Pellicciotti, D-Federal Way, House Bill 1379 requires PACs, organizations that raise money to influence elections or legislation, to list the names of the actual people and corporations that are top PAC donors on political advertisements.

“We won’t have full confidence in government unless voters have full transparency in what special interests are funding our elections,” said Pellicciotti.

Over the past two years, Pellicciotti joined with Sen. Andy Billig, D-Spokane, and Sen. Guy Palumbo, D-Maltby, in sponsoring the legislation.

This follows the 2018 DISCLOSE Act, also sponsored by Pellicciotti and Billig, which put a spotlight on “dark money” in political campaigns. Prior to the DISCLOSE Act, certain non-profits could use a loophole to hide donors from political reporting obligations.

House Bill 1379 now goes to Gov. Inslee to be signed into law.

The legislative session is set to adjourn on April 28.