HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

Bill Analysis      Bill No. HB 2297

Recording auditor=s documents                    Hearing Date:  1/14/98

Brief Title

Rep. Sehlin                                                   Staff Contact: S. Lundin

Sponsor                                    Comm. on Govt. Admin.

                                           Phone: 786-7127

BACKGROUND:

The county auditor is the recorder of Adeeds and other instruments@ that are required to be filed with the county.

Legislation was enacted in 1996 establishing requirements for instruments that are filed with county auditors, including margin requirements and matters that must be included on the first page of the instrument.  A cover sheet also must be filed if some, but not all, of these items are not included on the first page of the instrument.

The following matters must be included on the first page of the instrument or cover sheet are: (1) The title or titles of the document; (2) reference numbers of documents assigned or released with reference to the document page number where additional references may be found; (3) the names of the grantors and grantees with reference to the document page number where additional names are included, if applicable; and (4) an abbreviated legal description of the property, if applicable.

The assessor=s property tax parcel or account number also must be included on the first page of the document, but no express provision is made for including this number on the cover sheet.

SUMMARY:

The new requirements for instruments that are filed with county auditors are limited to instruments relating to real property.

The cover sheet for an instrument that is filed with a county auditor may include the assessor=s tax parcel or account number.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.