HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2697

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by House Committee On:

Commerce & Labor

General Government Appropriations

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Commerce & Labor: 1/27/10 [DP];

General Government Appropriations: 2/4/10 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

Extends the Department of Licensing's authority to collect a $10 fee from real estate licensees to fund the activities of the Washington Center on Real Estate Research for five additional years.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Conway, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Condotta, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Green, Moeller and Williams.

Background:

In 1989 the Washington Center for Real Estate Research (Center) was established at Washington State University. The Center's purpose is to provide research and education services to real estate licensees, others in the industry, and the public, including consumers, agencies, and communities in Washington and the Pacific Northwest. Since 1999 the Center has been funded, in part, with revenues from a $10 fee assessed on real estate licensees when their licenses are issued or renewed. The Department of Licensing (Department) collects the fees and deposits them in the Washington Real Estate Research Account (Account). Moneys in the Account must be appropriated. The Department's authority to collect the fees and related provisions expire September 30, 2010.

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Summary of Bill:

The Department's authority to collect a $10 fee from real estate licensees to fund the Center's activities is extended for five additional years (from September 30, 2010, to September 30, 2015). Related provisions are also extended for five years.

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Appropriation: None.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Since 1999 real estate licensees have been paying this $10 fee when a license is issued or renewed to fund the Center. It was extended five years ago and will expire again this year. It is important to extend this fee because the research of the Center not only benefits the real estate industry and the public, but also benefits many of the legislative policy committees.

(Opposed) None.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 15 members: Representatives Darneille, Chair; Takko, Vice Chair; McCune, Ranking Minority Member; Armstrong, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Blake, Crouse, Dunshee, Hudgins, Kenney, Klippert, Pedersen, Sells, Short, Van De Wege and Williams.

Summary of Recommendation of Committee On General Government Appropriations Compared to Recommendation of Committee On Commerce & Labor:

No new changes were recommended.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The fee in this bill supports the Washington Center for Real Estate Research (Center). The Center benefits real estate licensees, consumers, public agencies, and several policy committees at the Legislature by providing empirical research about the needs of the housing industry.

(Opposed) None.