This bill amends various sections of Washington's campaign finance laws to enhance the reporting schedule and transparency of campaign finance activities. Key changes include a revised definition of "participate," which now explicitly encompasses making expenditures in support of or opposition to ballot propositions. Political committees are mandated to submit an annual statement by January 1st detailing their expected participation in election campaigns, including information about candidates and ballot propositions they support or oppose. Additionally, the reporting requirements for continuing political committees have been updated to require ongoing reports until they cease operations, with a new timeline for monthly reports leading up to elections.

The bill also introduces stricter regulations for the inspection of campaign financial records, requiring individuals to provide their name, phone number, and photo identification to the treasurer for access. It specifies that copies of filed reports must be available for public inspection by appointment and mandates that financial records be preserved for at least five years. New provisions for the certification of reports by candidates and treasurers are included, along with guidelines for submitting amended reports without incurring violations. The dissolution process for political committees is clarified, detailing the requirements for filing a final report. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2028.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 29B.10.240, 29B.10.390, 29B.25.020, 29B.25.070, 29B.25.090, 29B.25.100
Substitute bill: 29B.10.240, 29B.10.390, 29B.25.020, 29B.25.070, 29B.25.090, 29B.25.100