Governor Jay Inslee signed a measure to extend political contribution limits to candidates for public hospital district boards today.
“This is a victory for citizens who reside in public hospital districts such as King County Public Hospital District No. 1, which operates Valley Medical Center,” said state Senator Pam Roach of Auburn. “Recent commission races have seen large contributions from single sources that have over-powered the campaigns.”
SB 5748 limits contributions for commission candidates in public hospital districts with populations of more than 100,000. Washington has three hospital districts that fall into this category – two in King County and one in Snohomish County.
Roach said she will introduce legislation next year to cover hospital districts of all sizes.
“Public hospital districts play an important role in the lives of our citizens,” said Roach. “It is essential that these government entities be open, honest and responsive to the public. Holding public hospital board members to the same campaign contribution limits as other officials is a good step in the right direction.”
The law it created takes effect Aug. 20.
