SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1395
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES,
APRIL 1, 1993
Brief Description: Allowing counties to impose additional marriage license fees for funding family services.
SPONSORS: Representatives Scott, Long, G. Cole, Riley, Johanson, Leonard, Ogden, King and Locke
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON REVENUE
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Talmadge, Chairman; Wojahn, Vice Chairman; Deccio, Erwin, Franklin, Hargrove, McAuliffe, McDonald, Moyer, and Niemi.
Staff: Richard Rodger (786‑7461)
Hearing Dates: April 1, 1993
BACKGROUND:
Currently the fees for processing applications for marriage licenses are established by law. The basic fee is $8, plus an additional fee of $5 for use and support for the prevention of child abuse and neglect activities, expiring June 30, 1995, plus an additional $10 fee for the purposes of the Displaced Homemaker Act. Counties may also charge $8 for funding the family court.
The counties have no authority to add an additional fee to a marriage license for the purpose of funding family services.
SUMMARY:
County legislative authorities may establish an additional fee for a marriage license, not exceeding $15, to fund family services, such as family support centers.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: available
TESTIMONY FOR:
Counties should have the ability to raise additional revenue to find needed family support services. This bill would provide a secure financial base for the family service supporters. We need to involve the community in the funding of these services.
TESTIMONY AGAINST: None
TESTIFIED: PRO: Roseann Martinez, United Way of Snohomish County; Carolyn Eslick, Lorrie Milford, Sky Valley Com. Resource Center; Mary Ellen O'Keefe, Family Resource Coalition of WA; Robbie Rohr, Deaconess Children's Services