SHB 1782
In CommitteeHouse
Campaign reporting timeline
Amending the timeline for reporting campaign contributions and expenditures.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
HB 1782 tightens and adjusts campaign finance reporting timelines for candidates and committees in Washington State, requiring more frequent and earlier disclosures—especially in the weeks before an election—and improving public access to financial records. It also clarifies rules for amending reports and dissolving committees.
- Adjusts campaign reporting deadlines: reports due 20 days and 6 days before elections (instead of 21 and 7 days), and monthly reports due on the 10th day of the month.
- Requires incidental committees to file a report on the day they register, including details on election campaign expenditures and the 10 largest donors of $10,000+.
- Adds weekly deposit reports for the 5 months before a general election or 4 months before a special election, listing contributors of $25+ (with $25 or less grouped together).
- Strengthens public access: campaign books must be open for inspection 10 days before an election, with appointments required within 48 hours of request and photo ID required.
- Clarifies rules for amending reports: allows one free amendment within 21 days if filed 30+ days before an election, and adjustments are under a set dollar threshold.
- Adds formal process for dissolving political committees, including a 60-day waiting period after filing a notice of intent, with continued reporting until dissolution is complete.
Who is affected
- Candidates for state office — Candidates running for state office must now file campaign finance reports on adjusted deadlines (e.g., 20 days instead of 21 days before an election) and provide more frequent updates on large contributions and expenditures.
- Political and incidental committees — Political committees and incidental committees must follow updated reporting schedules, including monthly reports under new thresholds, and must disclose the top 10 donors of $10,000+ in real time upon forming.
- Voters and news media — Voters and journalists gain earlier and more detailed access to campaign finances, including real-time inspection of financial records during the final 10 days before an election.
- Campaign treasurers — Campaign treasurers face stricter recordkeeping and inspection rules, including requirements to keep books current within one business day before an election and to allow in-person or digital inspections during the final stretch of a campaign.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Earlier and more frequent reporting (e.g., 6 days before election instead of 7) improves transparency in the final stretch of campaigns, helping voters and journalists detect last-minute foreign or deceptive influence before ballots are cast.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)(a), Sec. 2(2)(a)Weekly bank deposit reports for 5 months before general elections allow real-time tracking of large inflows, reducing opportunities for undisclosed foreign or corporate money to influence elections undetected.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(5), Sec. 2(5)Mandating public inspection of campaign books within 48 hours of request during the final 10 days before election — with digital access options — strengthens investigative journalism and voter awareness, especially in close or contested races.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(6), Sec. 2(6)One free amendment within 21 days if filed >30 days before election (with dollar thresholds) reduces frivolous enforcement actions and gives campaigns flexibility to correct honest errors without penalty, easing burden on enforcement staff.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 1(10), Sec. 2(10)Formal dissolution process with 60-day waiting period and continued reporting prevents “zombie committees” from lingering post-election and hiding unreported activity, improving long-term accountability.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 1(11), Sec. 2(11)
Potential Concerns (4)
Shortened reporting deadlines (e.g., 20 days instead of 21 days before election) compress campaign treasurers’ and local election officials’ work cycles, increasing administrative burden and risk of minor errors during high-stakes election periods.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 1(2)(a), Sec. 2(2)(a)Weekly deposit reports for five months before a general election (or four months before a special election) significantly increase reporting frequency and data entry burden for small campaigns and local committees with limited staff or volunteer capacity.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 1(5), Sec. 2(5)Mandatory photo ID for public inspection of campaign books may disproportionately deter low-income, elderly, or transient voters who lack state-issued ID, chilling public oversight despite good-faith inspection requests.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 1(6)(b), Sec. 2(6)(b)Incidental committees must file a report on day of registration disclosing the 10 largest $10,000+ donors — a requirement that may deter grassroots or short-term advocacy efforts due to administrative complexity and donor privacy concerns.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 1(1)(b), Sec. 2(1)(b)
Who Is Most Affected
Small-campaign treasurers (often volunteers or low-budget staff) face increased administrative burden from weekly deposit reports and tighter deadlines, especially in rural districts with limited resources.
Incidental committees (e.g., short-term advocacy groups, ballot measure committees) must now report top donors and expenditures immediately upon formation — a barrier for fast-moving grassroots efforts.
Voters and journalists gain earlier, more granular access to campaign finances, improving election integrity and enabling better-informed decisions — especially valuable in close races or amid disinformation.
Campaign treasurers must maintain books within one business day in final 10 days and allow 48-hour inspection appointments — a modest but real compliance cost for small campaigns.
The State Public Disclosure Commission may see a modest increase in inspection requests and report processing, but the fiscal impact is minimal per the bill summary.