HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 5528

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                          Judiciary

Title:  An act relating to court fees.

Brief Description:  Altering court fees.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senator Quigley).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Judiciary, April 2, 1993, DPA.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 15 members:  Representatives Appelwick, Chair; Ludwig, Vice Chair; Padden, Ranking Minority Member; Ballasiotes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Chappell; Johanson; Locke; Long; Mastin; H. Myers; Riley; Schmidt; Scott; and Wineberry.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Tate.

Staff:  Patricia Shelledy (786-7149).

Background:  Superior Courts are authorized to collect fees for certain court services.  Fees for some services are as follows:

"Filing noncourt documents and agreed probate documents:  $2

"Garnishments and writs of attachment:  $5

"Filing a will:  $2

"Preparation of passport applications:  $4

"Records search with written report:  $8 per hour

"Copies of audiotapes or videotapes of court proceedings:  None specified.

Summary of Amended Bill:  Fees for the following Superior Court services are raised or imposed as follows:

"Filing noncourt documents and agreed probate documents:  $20

"Garnishments and writs of attachment:  $20

"Filing a will:  $20

"Preparation of passport applications:  Same fee as authorized by the federal government (currently $10).

"Clerks' special services:  Not to exceed $20 per hour.

"Copies of audiotapes of court proceedings:  $10

"Copies of videotapes of court proceedings:  $25

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  A fee increase for petitions for modifications of foreign divorce orders is stricken.  An erroneous reference to "motions" for modifications and fee increase is stricken.  A provision expressly authorizing noncharter counties, but not charter counties, to collect fees for special services is deleted so both charter and noncharter counties may collect the fee.  Counties may collect a fee not to exceed $20 per hour for the special services, rather than $15 per hour for the first hour.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  Fees for these services have not been raised for years and have not kept pace with the cost of providing the services.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Kay Anderson, Washington Association of County Clerks (pro); and Debbie Wilkie, Washington Association of County Officials (pro).