5426 AMH ESSE PERR 57

SB 5426 - H AMD

By Representative Esser

     On page 1, strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

     "Sec. 1.  RCW 27.24.070 and 1992 c 54 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

     In each county pursuant to this chapter, the county treasurer shall deposit in the county or regional law library fund a sum equal to twelve dollars for every new probate or civil filing fee, including  appeals, collected by the clerk of the superior court and six dollars for every fee collected for the commencement of a civil action in district court for the support of the law library in that county or the regional law library to which the county belongs:  PROVIDED, That upon a showing of need the twelve dollar contribution may be increased up to fifteen dollars upon the request of the law library board of trustees and with the approval of the county legislative body or bodies:  AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That in each county that increases the twelve dollar contribution rate to fifteen dollars, upon a showing of need by the law library board of trustees, a county legislative body or bodies may impose an additional surcharge not to exceed five dollars or, in the case of a county that maintains more than one library facility, not to exceed ten dollars, for every new probate or civil filing in superior court and an additional surcharge not to exceed two dollars or, in the case of a county that maintains more than one library facility, not to exceed four dollars, for every fee collected for the commencement of a civil action in district court for the purpose of funding the county law library.  Any surcharge imposed shall be collected by the clerk of the court and remitted to the county treasurer for deposit in the county or regional law library fund."

EFFECT:  Allows a surcharge on top of filing fees only for those counties that take the maximum $15 contribution out of filing fees to support their law libraries.  Limits that surcharge to no more than $5 in superior court and $2 in district court, but allows doubling of those amounts in counties that maintain more than one library facility.