WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Governor signs Pellicciotti campaign finance legislation

OLYMPIA – Legislation requiring more campaign finance transparency from political action committees (PACs) was signed into law on Tuesday, May 7.

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 actual people and corporations that are top PAC donors on political advertisements. Prior to this legislation, major donors could funnel money into vague sounding PACs to avoid being specifically listed.

“The public cannot have full trust in government unless there is full transparency on what special interests influence elections,” said Pellicciotti.

Over the past two years, Pellicciotti has joined with Sen. Andy Billig, D-Spokane, and Sen. Guy Palumbo, D-Maltby, to sponsor this 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.