HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 6135

                       As Passed House

                        March 3, 1992

Title:  An act relating to filing of name change orders in district court.

Brief Description:  Requiring permanent retention of name change orders.

Sponsor(s):  Senate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Nelson, A. Smith, Erwin and Madsen).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Judiciary, February 19, 1992, DP;

Passed House, March 3, 1992, 96-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

JUDICIARY

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 16 members:  Representatives Appelwick, Chair; Ludwig, Vice Chair; Padden, Ranking Minority Member; Paris, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Belcher; Broback; Forner; Hargrove; Inslee; R. Meyers; H. Myers; Riley; Scott; D. Sommers; Tate; and Vance.

Staff:  Bill Perry (786-7123).

Background:

In 1991, the Legislature authorized name change petitions to be heard in the district courts.  Current law requires the district courts to retain records of proceedings for 10 years.

However, records relating to name change orders need to be established on a permanent basis because such orders may be used indefinitely to establish the legal name of a person.

Summary of Bill:  County auditors are required to maintain a permanent record of all name change orders.  The district courts are to collect the appropriate filing and recording fee, and transmit the order and the fee to the auditor's office.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  None.