Brief Description: Increasing the surcharge for the preservation of historical documents.

Sponsors: Representatives Takko, Haler, Haigh, Ericks, Hankins, McCoy and Chase.

Hearing Date: 1/31/05

Staff: Ethan Moreno (786-7386).

Background:

Statute specifies numerous duties and responsibilities for the county auditor (auditor), including directives pertaining to financial and election administration. Among other specified duties, the auditor is the recorder of deeds and other instruments in writing which, by law, must be filed and recorded in and for the county for which he or she is elected.

In addition to other charges authorized by law, a surcharge of two dollars per instrument must be charged by the auditor for each document recorded. Fifty percent of the revenue generated from this surcharge must be transmitted monthly to the state treasurer for annual distribution to each county treasurer according to a statutory formula. The county treasure must place these received funds into a special centennial document preservation and modernization account whereby the funds may only be used for the ongoing preservation of historical documents of all county offices and departments. The received funds may not be added to the county current expense fund.

The remaining fifty percent of the revenue generated by the surcharge must be retained by the county and deposited in the auditor's operation and maintenance fund for the ongoing preservation of historical documents of all county offices and departments.

Summary of Bill:

The mandatory per instrument recording surcharge that county auditors charge for the preservation of historical documents is increased from two to five dollars.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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