FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6527

C 123 L 04

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Increasing the statutory rate for attorney fees.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Johnson, Berkey, Esser and Sheahan).

Senate Committee on Judiciary

House Committee on Judiciary

Background: The prevailing party in a lawsuit is entitled to recover the costs of suit. "Costs" include filing and service fees and a statutory attorney's fee of $125. For cases in superior court, the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court, the statutory attorney's fee has not been adjusted since 1985. For district courts, the statutory attorney's fee was raised from $50 to $125 in 1993.

Summary: For cases in district court, superior court, the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court, the statutory attorney's fee is raised from $125 to $200. If a district court judgment is over $50, but less than $200, the statutory attorney's fee remains at $125.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate       48  0

House       96  0

Effective: June 10, 2004