SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6337

          AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, FEBRUARY 7, 1992

Brief Description:  Increasing official fees for a sheriff's services.

SPONSORS: Senators Nelson, Newhouse and Stratton

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6337 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

      Signed by Senators Nelson, Chairman; Erwin, Vice Chairman; Hayner, M. Kreidler, Madsen, Newhouse, Rasmussen, and A. Smith.

Staff:  Ben Barnes (786‑7465)

Hearing Dates: February 6, 1992; February 7, 1992

BACKGROUND:

Current law authorizes sheriffs to collect fees for their official services.  It is suggested that sheriff's fees be increased.

SUMMARY:

Sheriff's fees for official services rendered are increased.  Additional services, with corresponding fees are listed.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Subsequent to the enactment of this act, any future increase in sheriffs' fees will be fixed by the counties.

The fee for service of process on one defendant is $10; the fee for service of process on two or more defendants is $12.

The fee for making a return is $7.  The fee for each mile traveled in providing service on a defendant is 35 cents.

Providing copies of incident or case reports is removed from the list of official services.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Sheriffs' fees have not been increased since 1981.  A fee increase is necessary in order to keep pace with the rising costs of sheriffs' services.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  J.A. Zimmerman, King County Sheriff's office; Marie Taylor, Island County Sheriff's office; William A. Logan, Lewis County Sheriff; David L. Kidd, ABC Legal Messengers; Walt Corneille, Washington State Process Servers Association; Benita McCormick, Washington Collectors Association