SENATE BILL REPORT

                  EHB 1232

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                   Judiciary, March 29, 1999

Title:  An act relating to judgments.

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to judgments.

Sponsors:  Representatives Sheahan, Constantine, McDonald and Scott.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Judiciary:  3/22/99, 3/29/99 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Heavey, Chair; Kline, Vice Chair; Costa, Goings, Hargrove, Haugen, Johnson, Long, McCaslin, Roach and Thibaudeau.

Staff:  Penny Nerup (786-7484)

Background:  A judgment is the official decision of a court that determines the rights and claims of the parties to a lawsuit litigated within that court.  After the judgment is issued by the court, the court clerk processes the paperwork associated with the judgment.  As judgments became more voluminous and complex, clerks were asked to prepare a judgment summary to make critical information more readily available and to reduce the chance for error when a judgment is entered and a permanent record is created.

Currently, judgment summaries are only required to list money judgments, which include the amount, interest, and total of taxable costs and attorney's fees.

Including property awards in judgment summaries would facilitate compliance with real estate recording law and the motor vehicle financial responsibility law.

Summary of Bill:  Judgment summaries include listings for property when these items are awarded in the judgment.  Any judgment summary concerning real property (real estate) must be made with a legal description of the property, and must include, for example, the lot block, plat, or section as well as the assessor's tax parcel number.  If the judgment provides for damages from a motor vehicle accident, the judgment summary must include a clear statement that the clerk is to notify the Department of Licensing as required by the financial responsibility law.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This is a priority bill for the county clerks because adding specific descriptions of real estate makes their job easier.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO: Betty Gould, Thurston County Clerk; Debbie Wilke, Washington Association of County Officials.