Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 390-19-030 Electronic filing -- Reporting threshold.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 42.17A.110, 42.17A.245.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Candidates or political committees who spend or expect to expend $5,000 must electronically file their campaign reports, which enables the public disclosure commission to maintain a publicly accessible database containing campaign finance data. Currently, candidates who are seeking reelection or otherwise running for the same office last sought and spent at least $5,000 on the last campaign, are allowed to file manually until the $5,000 threshold is reached in the current campaign or January 1 of the election year, whichever comes first. Requiring these candidates to electronically file reports from the beginning of the campaign will enhance public disclosure and give better access to the campaign data.

     Process for Developing New Rule: The commission will likely discuss potential rule amendments and possibly approve draft language during the February 28, 2013, meeting. Public comment will be welcome at this meeting. Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to Lori Anderson, Public Disclosure Commission, P.O. Box 40908, Olympia, WA 98504-0908, in advance of the meetings.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by submitting comments to Lori Anderson, P.O. Box 40908, Olympia, WA 98504-0908, phone (360) 664-2737 or 1-877-601-2828, e-mail lori.anderson@pdc.wa.gov, fax (360) 753-1112.

January 14, 2013

Lori Anderson

Communications and

Training Officer