HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5825

As Amended by the House

BYSenate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by  Senators Conner and Talmadge)

Revising provisions on horizontal property regimes.

House Committe on Judiciary

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (15)

      Signed by Representatives Armstrong, Chair; Crane, Vice Chair; Appelwick, Brough, Hargrove, Heavey, P. King, Lewis, Locke, Moyer, Padden, Patrick, Schmidt, Scott and Wang.

House Staff:Charlie Gavigan (786-7340)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 17, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Most of the laws dealing with condominiums were enacted in 1963.  A Uniform Condominium Act has been proposed to states that would update the current law in Washington and make it more consistent with condominium laws in other states.

SUMMARY:

When the plans of a condominium or apartment building are filed with the county auditor, the description of each unit must include (1) the approximate square footage of the unit, (2) the number of bathrooms, bedrooms, and built-in fireplaces, (3) a statement of any scenic view which might affect value, and (4) the initial value of the unit as compared to other units.

Separately delineated storage areas for motor vehicles are included in the definition of "apartment."

A statutory committee is set up to review current state law, to review the Uniform Condominium Act, to draft revisions to enable the act to meet the specific needs of this state, and to report to the legislature by January 1, 1988.  Membership of the committee shall be as follows:  (1) one person from each of the majority and minority parties of the House of Representatives and the Senate; (2) four members from the public who own condominium units; (3) a person appointed by the Director of Licensing; (4) a person appointed by the Washington Land Title Association; (5) a person appointed by the Washington Association of Realtors; (6) a person appointed by the Washington Mortgage Bankers Association; (7) a person appointed by the Washington Chapter of the Condominium Associations Institute; (8) a person appointed by the State Homebuilders Association; (9) a person appointed by the State Bar Association; and (10) a person appointed by the State Association of County Officials.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Don Hogaboam, City of Tacoma; Jon Pegg, Department of Licensing.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Some technical changes should now be made.  Substantial changes in condominium law have occurred in the 24 years since the major state legislation dealing with condominiums was passed.  A committee should review the Uniform Condominium Act to see how the uniform act is applicable to Washington law and what revisions are needed for Washington law to update it.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.