Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Local Government Committee |
HB 1185
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. |
Brief Description: Concerning equitable allocation of auditor costs.
Sponsors: Representatives Takko, Alexander, Springer, Tharinger, Clibborn, Kochmar and Ryu.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/25/13
Staff: Michaela Murdock (786-7289).
Background:
County auditors are the recording officers of counties for a variety of documents relating to real property, marriage licenses, other vital statistic documents, and other matters that are required by law to be filed and recorded in the county. Fees that must be collected by the county auditor for filing or recording various documents are established by statute.
Current statute sets the fee that county auditors must charge for searching records at $8 per hour.
Summary of Bill:
County auditors are authorized to establish the actual cost-per-hour of searching records. If established, county auditors may charge up to the actual cost-per-hour for searching records and must conspicuously post the actual cost fee. If the county auditor has not determined the actual cost-per-hour, then the searching records fee is $8 per hour.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.