FINAL BILL REPORT

                           SSB 6045

                          C 189 L 94

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Authorizing an additional ten years for execution of judgments.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators A. Smith, Nelson and Haugen)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

BACKGROUND:

Under current law a person who has obtained a judgment in a court of record in this state may enforce that judgment for ten years after the date the judgment was entered.  There are times when the person who won the judgment is unable to collect the amount owed within ten years.  For example, a debtor may be paying the judgment, but does not earn enough to pay the amount owed within the ten-year period.  In other cases debtors move away, but return after the enforcement period has passed.

At least 21 states have adopted a period greater than ten years in which judgments can be enforced.

SUMMARY:

A party who has been awarded a judgment may apply within 90 days before the original ten-year enforcement period expires for an additional ten-year extension.  The party seeking the extension must pay a fee equal to the filing fee for a civil complaint and must submit an updated judgment summary.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    46   0

House     96   0    (House amended)

Senate    42   0    (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:June 9, 1994