SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5059

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                Law & Justice, February 5, 1997

Title:  An act relating to legal notices.

Brief Description:  Providing minimum standards for legal notices published in newspapers.

Sponsors:  Senator McCaslin.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Law & Justice:  1/20/97, 2/5/97 [DP-WM].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

  Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Johnson, Vice Chair; Fairley, Hargrove, Kline, Long, McCaslin, Stevens and Zarelli.

Staff:  Lidia Mori (786-7755)

Background:  Legal notices that are required by law or by order of a court to be published must be made on the day of each week in which such newspaper is published.  The legal newspaper must meet certain qualifications including being published at least once a week, in the English language, and it must contain news of general interest as contrasted with news of interest primarily to an organization.  There are no requirements as to the size of type that must be used in the publication of legal notices.

Summary of Bill:  All legal notices that are required to be published must be in no less than 9 point type and must use a clear and legible font.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  There will be a fiscal impact.  The Olympian newspaper uses 6 point type for legal notices.  To print a notice in 10 point type as opposed to 6 point would cost double.

Testified:  Jim Justin, Assn. of WA Cities (con).