HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5194

BYSenators Talmadge and Newhouse; by request of Department of Licensing

Revising fees under the Uniform Commercial Code.

House Committe on Judiciary

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (14)

      Signed by Representatives Armstrong, Chair; Crane, Vice Chair; Appelwick, Hargrove, Heavey, Locke, Moyer, Niemi, Padden, Patrick, Schmidt, Scott, Wang and Wineberry.

House Staff:Charlie Gavigan (786-7340)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 13, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Current law specifies the dollar amount of fees for filing security interests financing statements, statements of release, statements of assignment, and for obtaining debtor's certificates.  The Department of Licensing is not allowed to recoup the expenses incurred when farmers and agricultural lenders use the department's field computers to check for filed security interests and other filings.  Also, the department is not allowed to charge fees for the filing of processor or preparer liens.

SUMMARY:

The statutory dollar amounts are eliminated and the Department of Licensing is given authority to make rules that prescribe standard filing forms, fees, and uniform procedures.  The department is also given rulemaking authority to devise a system for recouping the phone and computer access charges the department incurs when the public uses its field computers.

Fiscal Note:      Attached.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Ken Mark, Department of Licensing.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The Department of Licensing can charge reasonable fees for filing security interests and other documents.  The provisions enable the department to increase the availability of its computers to the public, including agricultural lenders, because the department can recoup the costs by charging fees.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.