HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2580

As Reported by House Committee On:

Local Government

Title: An act relating to fees charged by counties.

Brief Description: Relating to fees charged by counties.

Sponsors: Representatives Lovick, Campbell, Flannigan, McDonald, Lantz and Kirby.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Local Government: 1/28/04, 2/4/04 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Romero, Chair; Simpson, D., Vice Chair; Jarrett, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Clibborn, Edwards, Moeller and Upthegrove.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Schindler, Ranking Minority Member; Ahern, Ericksen and Mielke.

Staff: Kiki Keizer (786-7109).

Background:

Current law sets out fees for various transactions completed by county officials, including filing documents and making copies of documents on file or of record.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

Provides for a fee for copies of documents in a county clerk's office that are not certified copies, including copies in electronic format or on compact disc.

Eliminates fees for filing oaths and affirmations and disclaimers of interest.

Creates a fee for preparation of change of venue by the originating court.

Increases the fee for filing a transcript or abstract of judgment or verdict from a U.S. court held in this state or from a superior court in another county or from a district court in the county of issuance.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

Certain scriveners' errors are corrected.

The fee for certification of delinquent taxes by a county treasurer is eliminated.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The way that county officials do business has changed with the advent of technology. The law related to fees charged by county officials needs to be modified to reflect these changes.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Representative J. Lovick, Prime Sponsor; and Betty Gould, Thurston County Clerk, Washington State Association of County Clerks.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.