WSR 12-19-074

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

PUBLIC DISCLOSURE COMMISSION


[ Filed September 18, 2012, 8:42 a.m. ]

     Subject of Possible Rule Making: TITLE 390 WAC, rules regarding political advertising, defining "mass communication," strengthening sponsor identification requirements for political advertising, and updating the rule that defines "volunteer services" (what is not a contribution).

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

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Clarify what constitutes "mass communication" to reduce confusion as to which communications qualify as political advertising and are subject to sponsor identification and disclosure requirements. Additionally, as the commission is in the process of reviewing its campaign activities on the internet interpretative statement it may find that it needs to update its volunteer services rule.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

     Process for Developing New Rule: The commission may, during the October 25 and/or December 6, 2012, commission meetings, discuss whether to move forward with amending WAC 390-17-405 and 390-18-010 and possibly adopting a new rule to define "mass communication." Public comment will be welcome at these meetings. Interested persons are invited to submit written [comments by] October 24 to Lori Anderson, PDC, P.O. Box [40908], Olympia, WA 98504-0908.

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

September 14, 2012

Lori Anderson

Communications and

Training Officer