SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6319

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

            Government Operations, February 1, 1996

Title:  An act relating to the payment of fees to the county by credit card.

Brief Description:  Paying county fees by credit card.

Sponsors:  Senators McCaslin, Morton and Deccio.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  1/31/96, 2/1/96 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6319 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Sheldon, Vice Chair; Goings, Hale, Heavey, McCaslin and Winsley.

Staff:  Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background:  The public's growing reliance on credit and debit cards and electronic means of transferring money is not yet reflected in the statutes authorizing acceptance of payments by the county treasurer.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  For payment of certain fees, the county is given the discretion to accept credit or debit cards if the payor agrees to pay a fee to cover the actual cost of the transaction.  The fees subject to payment by credit or debit cards are fees imposed by the state and collected by the county and fees collected by local county ordinance or resolution.  The fee to the payor must be established by the county legislative authority and be sufficient to cover the actual cost or charge imposed by the financial institution for the use of the credit or debit card.  Counties which authorize subagents for motor vehicle and vessel titling must notify the Department of Licensing six months prior to implementing credit or debit card payments.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill did not acknowledge the interface between the Department of Licensing and the counties' collection of licensing fees through subagents.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill will allow the counties better to serve the citizens and to relieve the burden on county employees who now personally facilitate credit card transactions.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Deb McCurley, Department of Licensing (pro).