SENATE BILL REPORT
ESB 5523
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 Passed Senate, March 4, 2015
Title: An act relating to process server registration.
Brief Description: Removing the requirement that a process server disclose a social security number when registering.
Sponsors: Senators Sheldon, Rivers, Angel, Schoesler, Padden, Becker, Warnick, Honeyford and Roach.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Law & Justice: 2/03/15, 2/10/15 [DP, DNP, w/oRec].
Passed Senate: 3/04/15, 47-1.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Padden, Chair; O'Ban, Vice Chair; Darneille, Pearson and Roach.
Minority Report: Do not pass.
Signed by Senator Pedersen, Ranking Minority Member.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senator Kohl-Welles.
Staff: Tim Ford (786-7423)
Background: People who serve legal process for a fee in Washington must be at least 18 years of age, be a resident of Washington, and register as a process server with the auditor of the county where the process server resides or operates their business. The county auditor uses a registration form and current law requires the following information regarding the process server to be included:
name;
birth date;
social security number;
business name;
business address; and
business telephone number.
The residency and registration requirements do not apply to:
a sheriff, deputy sheriff, marshal, constable, or government employee who is acting in the course of employment;
an attorney or the attorney's employees, who are not serving process on a fee basis;
a person who is court appointed to serve the court's process;
a person who does not receive a fee or wage for serving process; or
a licensed private investigator.
Summary of Engrossed Bill: Social security numbers on process server registration forms are confidential and exempt from public disclosure except as required by federal law.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: OTHER: Federal law requires the collection of social security numbers for professional licenses as a precondition for child enforcement support monies that the states receive from the federal government. The registration may become the license and it is being researched.
Persons Testifying: OTHER: Monty Cobb, WA Assn. of County Officials.