_______________________________________________
ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 5464
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 50th Legislature 1987 Regular Session
By Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Halsan and Nelson)
Read first time 2/24/87.
AN ACT Relating to courts of limited jurisdiction; and adding a new section to chapter 3.02 RCW.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 3.02 RCW to read as follows:
(1) Courts of limited jurisdiction may use collection agencies under chapter 19.16 RCW for purposes of collecting unpaid penalties on infractions, criminal fines, costs, assessments, civil judgements or forfeitures that have been imposed by the courts. Courts of limited jurisdiction may enter into agreements with one or more attorneys or collection agencies for collection of outstanding fines and forfeitures. These agreements may specify the scope of work, remuneration for services not more than twenty percent of the fine plus statutory costs, and other charges deemed appropriate.
(2) Courts of limited jurisdiction may use credit cards for purposes of billing and collecting paid and unpaid fines and forfeitures so imposed. Courts of limited jurisdiction may enter into agreements with one or more financial institutions for the purpose of the collection of fines and forfeitures. The agreements may specify conditions, remuneration for services, and other charges deemed appropriate.
(3) Servicing of delinquencies by collection agencies or by collecting attorneys in which the court retains control of its delinquencies shall not constitute assignment of debt.
(4) For purposes of this section, the term debt shall include penalties on infractions, criminal fines, costs, assessments, civil judgements or forfeitures imposed by the courts.