SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6283

                            AS OF FEBRUARY 18, 1992

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to superior court fees.

SPONSORS: Senators McDonald, Niemi and Talmadge; by request of Governor Gardner

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Staff:  Martin Chaw (786‑7715)

Hearing Dates:

BACKGROUND:

Currently, the superior courts of Washington assess a fee to persons filing papers on several types of legal actions.  Of this amount, 32 percent is allocated to the state and deposited into the public safety and education account (PSEA).  The remaining balance of 78 percent is allocated to the local government in which the fee revenue originated.

The proposed increase in filing fees is expected to raise the revenue to the state PSEA by $.8 million in FY '93 and by $1.6 million in the 1993-95 biennium.  The proposed modification of the fee revenue distribution is expected to raise the revenue to the state PSEA by $1.7 million in FY '93 and by $3.4 million in the 1993-95 biennium.  The total expected increase in revenue to the state PSEA is $2.5 million for FY '93 and $5.0 million for the 1993-95 biennium.

SUMMARY:

Superior court filing fees are raised.  The current distribution of fee revenues between the state and local jurisdictions is modified.  The state's share of the distribution of filing fee revenues is increased to 47 percent, while the local government's share of the distribution is decreased to 53 percent. 

Filing fees are modified as follows:  The fees to file for civil appeals, civil actions, probate proceedings, and contested wills are raised from $78 to $100; the fee to file a demand for a jury of six is raised from $25 to $50; and the fee to file a demand for a jury of 12 is raised from $50 to $100.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  yes

Fiscal Note:  available

Effective Date:  June 1, 1992