OLYMPIA…Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, successfully amended his bill to close a loophole in public disclosure requirements for out-of-state political action committees to House Bill 1226 during Senate action today.

House Bill 1226 extends campaign contribution limits to certain county offices and judges. Benton’s amendment added the substance of Senate Bill 6522, as it was amended in the House State Government and Accountability Committee to address concerns of the state Public Disclosure Commission.

 Sen. Jim Kastama, D-Puyallup, chair of the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee, worked with Sen. Benton on moving his political action committee transparency bill and backed Benton’s effort to amend it to HB 1226 after Benton’s bill did not get out of committee in the House.

 “My bill to make sure Washington voters know who is donating to out-of-state campaign committees that are supporting or opposing candidates in Washington is reasonable and rational,” Benton said. “It is a ‘voters’ right to know’ bill in my opinion and that’s why I’ve worked with Senator Kastama to keep it alive.”

HB 1266 now goes back to the House of Representatives for concurrence in the Senate amendments. 

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For more information contact Penny Drost at (360) 786-7522 or penny.drost@leg.wa.gov