08-14-108

WSR 08-14-108

EMERGENCY RULES

PUBLIC DISCLOSURE COMMISSION

[ Filed June 30, 2008, 11:21 a.m. , effective June 30, 2008, 11:21 a.m. ]

     Effective Date of Rule: Immediately.

     Purpose: Adoption of new WAC 390-05-196 to clarify the difference between bona fide political parties and other political committees for the purpose of contribution limitations following of the United States Supreme Court ruling upholding Washington's top two primary system.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 42.17.370.

     Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.

     Reasons for this Finding: Recently, the United States Supreme Court upheld Washington's top two primary system which was enacted into law by the voters in 2004 through the passage of I-872. Under the new primary system, chapter 29A.20 RCW which has been relied on to distinguish bona fide political parties from other political committees has been effectively repealed and chapter 42.17 RCW has not been amended by the legislature to remove reference to chapter 29A.20 RCW. To preserve the general welfare and given the timing restriction for rule making in RCW 42.17.370(1), the new rule is needed immediately for the 2008 election season to clarify which minor party organizations satisfy the definition of bona fide political party in RCW 42.17.020.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: June 26, 2008.

Vicki Rippie

Executive Director

OTS-1713.1

NEW SECTION
WAC 390-05-196   Bona fide political party -- Application of term.   An organization that filed a valid certificate of nomination with the secretary of state or a county elections official under chapter 29A.20 RCW in any year from 2002 through 2007 is deemed to have satisfied the definition of bona fide political party in RCW 42.17.020.

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