HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1603
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
Judiciary
Appropriations
Title: An act relating to updating the child support economic table based on recommendations of the child support work group.
Brief Description: Updating the child support economic table based on recommendations of the child support work group.
Sponsors: Representatives Kilduff, Sawyer, Goodman, McBride and Frame.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Judiciary: 2/1/17, 2/9/17 [DP], 1/18/18, 1/23/18 [DPS];
Appropriations: 2/20/17, 2/22/17 [DP], 2/3/18, 2/5/18 [DPS(JUDI)].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY |
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Jinkins, Chair; Kilduff, Vice Chair; Rodne, Ranking Minority Member; Graves, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Goodman, Haler, Hansen, Kirby, Klippert, Muri, Orwall, Shea and Valdez.
Staff: Edie Adams (786-7180).
Background:
Child support obligations are established in the context of dissolution or parentage proceedings through the court or an administrative process with the Division of Child Support. The amount of child support is determined using the statutory child support schedule, which includes an economic table and the child support worksheets developed by the Administrative Office of the Courts.
The economic table is used to establish the basic support obligation for each parent, which can then be modified based on statutorily established adjustments and deviations. The basic support obligation is based on the combined monthly net income of the parents, the number of children before the court, and the ages of those children. The economic table has different amounts, in each income bracket, for children up to age 11 and children ages 12 to 18. Each parent's share of the basic support obligation is determined by the parent's proportionate share of the combined monthly net income. After determining the basic support obligation based on the economic table, the judge considers any adjustments to the basic support obligation, such as medical support, day care, and other special expenses, which results in a presumptive amount of child support called the "standard calculation." The judge then has discretion to consider reasons to deviate from the standard calculation.
Every four years, the Division of Child Support must convene a work group to review the state's child support laws. This process was established by the Legislature to comply with federal requirements that states conduct quadrennial reviews of their child support laws. The final report of the 2011 Child Support Workgroup (2011 Workgroup) recommended adoption of a new child support economic table that is based on more current data developed by an economist at the request of the 2011 Workgroup. The 2015 Child Support Workgroup also recommended adoption of the new economic table recommended by the 2011 Workgroup.
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Summary of Substitute Bill:
The child support economic table recommended by the 2011 and 2015 Child Support Workgroups is adopted. Under the new economic table, the basic support obligation is based on the combined monthly net income of the parents and the number of children before the court. The new economic table no longer provides different basic support obligation amounts depending on the age of the children.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The substitute bill revised the effective date to October 1, 2018.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect on October 1, 2018.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
See House Bill Report in the 2017 Legislative Session.
Persons Testifying: See House Bill Report in the 2017 Legislative Session.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: See House Bill Report in the 2017 Legislative Session.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS |
Majority Report: The substitute bill by Committee on Judiciary be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 27 members: Representatives Ormsby, Chair; Robinson, Vice Chair; Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; Stokesbary, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bergquist, Buys, Caldier, Cody, Fitzgibbon, Graves, Hansen, Harris, Hudgins, Jinkins, Kagi, Lytton, Manweller, Pettigrew, Pollet, Sawyer, Schmick, Senn, Springer, Stanford, Sullivan, Tharinger and Wilcox.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 5 members: Representatives MacEwen, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Condotta, Haler, Taylor and Vick.
Staff: Kelci Karl-Robinson (786-7116)
Summary of Recommendation of Committee On Appropriations Compared to Recommendation of Committee On Judiciary:
No new changes were recommended.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect on October 1, 2018.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) None.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: None.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.