HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2206
As Reported By House Committee On:
Government Operations
Title: An act relating to the recording of instruments via electronic transmission.
Brief Description: Recording instruments via electronic transmission.
Sponsors: Representatives L. Thomas, Chopp, Dickerson, D. Schmidt and Johnson.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Government Operations: 1/30/96, 2/2/96 [DP].
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 15 members: Representatives Reams, Chairman; Cairnes, Vice Chairman; Goldsmith, Vice Chairman; Rust, Ranking Minority Member; Scott, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Conway; R. Fisher; Hargrove; Honeyford; Hymes; Mulliken; Scheuerman; D. Schmidt; Van Luven and Wolfe.
Staff: Scott White (786-7153).
Background: Procedures and administration requirements are established for the official filing of documents with a county auditor or recording officer.
Summary of Bill: Existing laws relating to the official filing of documents are amended to include documents that are electronically transmitted.
The definitions "file," "filed," or "filing" are amended to mean the act of delivering or transmitting electronically a document to the auditor or recording officer for recording into the official public records.
The bill further clarifies that a county auditor is liable to the party aggrieved if the auditor fails to record or process a filing instrument that is delivered or electronically transmitted.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: This bill takes us into the 20th century.
Testimony Against: There are uncertainties that must be addressed regarding the verification of signatures and the legality of documents that are transmitted electronically.
Testified: Representative L. Thomas, prime sponsor; Val Wood, Thurston County Auditors; and Bud Morgan, Washington Land Title Association.