FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1764

C 30 L 19

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Adjusting monetary thresholds for found property.

Sponsors: House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Chambers, Goodman, Mosbrucker, Corry, Gildon, Klippert, DeBolt, Fey, Van Werven, MacEwen, Riccelli, McCaslin and Young).

House Committee on Local Government

Senate Committee on Local Government

Background:

Any person who, as a private citizen, finds property whose owner is unknown and who wishes to claim the property, must first report the find to the chief law enforcement officer of the governmental entity that has jurisdiction over where the property was found. For property other than cash, the finder must have the property appraised. If the property is valued at $25 or less, the finder is allowed to keep the property.If the property value exceeds $25, the law enforcement entity may request the finder to surrender the property for 60 days while steps are taken to locate the owner, including publication in a newspaper for two weeks, or if the value of the property is less than the cost of publishing notice, the notice may be posted in other media or formats that do not incur an expense. Once the requirements have been met and at least 60 days have passed, the found property may be released to the finder. The finder must pay a $10 fee, plus the cost of publishing notice, to the treasurer of the governmental entity handling the found property. If the appraised value of the property is less than the cost of publication of notice of the finding, the finder is not required to a pay a fee.

Summary:

The monetary threshold related to appraisal requirement, surrender, and notification of found property is increased from $25 to $100 or less adjusted for inflation.

The Office of Financial Management (OFM) is required to adjust the threshold for inflation every five years, beginning July 1, 2025, based upon the Seattle consumer price index. During that time period, the OFM is required to notify the Office of the Code Reviser at least one month prior to when the new monetary threshold is to take effect. The dollar threshold must be rounded up to the nearest dollar.

Votes on Final Passage: