H-1816.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 2176

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

By Representatives Ruderman and Lambert

Read first time 02/21/2001.  Referred to Committee on Finance.

Modifying fees for locating unclaimed property.

    AN ACT Relating to fees for locating unclaimed property; and amending RCW 63.29.350.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

    Sec. 1.  RCW 63.29.350 and 1983 c 179 s 35 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) It is unlawful for any person to seek or receive from any person or contract with any person for any fee or compensation for locating or purporting to locate any property which he or she knows has been reported or paid or delivered to the department of revenue pursuant to this chapter in excess of:

(a) Five percent of the property's value ((thereof returned to such owner)) during the twenty-four month period beginning when the property is paid or delivered to the department; or

(b) Fifteen percent of the property's value for the period beginning twenty-four months after the property is paid or delivered to the department.

(2)  Any person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than the amount of the fee or charge he or she has sought or received or contracted for, and not more than ten times such amount, or imprisoned for not more than thirty days, or both.

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