OLYMPIA – On Tuesday, January 21, the House Committee on State Government and Tribal Relations voted to pass legislation (House Bill 1067) which would reduce conflicts of interest in public policy decisions by establishing a two year “cooling off” period between holding elective office and lobbying in state government.
“Politicians should not be able to cash in on their public service,” said bill sponsor Rep. Mike Pellicciotti, D-Federal Way. “An elected official becoming a paid lobbyist immediately after public service undermines the people’s confidence in our government – we must do better.”
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, most states nationwide – and the federal government – have already passed “cooling off” periods for one to two years. Washington currently has no “cooling off” period.
The legislation passed out of committee unanimously. It now moves to the House Rules Committee, where it must be voted on again before coming to the floor for a full vote of the House.
According to the legislative web site, the House Rules Committee “considers all bills reported from policy and fiscal committees and determines whether, and in what order, to schedule their consideration on the floor of the House. The Rules Committee also reviews, adopts and schedules consideration of floor resolutions.”
Sen. Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle, has led on this issue in the Senate, and has sponsored companion legislation (Senate Bill 5033).
The 60-day Washington state legislative session will conclude on March 12, 2020.