SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5536

As of February 5, 2015

Title: An act relating to the recoupment of certain costs by collection agencies.

Brief Description: Concerning the recoupment of certain costs by collection agencies.

Sponsors: Senators Sheldon and Angel.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Financial Institutions & Insurance: 2/04/15.

Staff: Susan Jones (786-7404)

Background: Homeless Housing and Assistance Act. The Legislature enacted the Homeless Housing and Assistance Act (Act) in 2005 with the goal of reducing homelessness by 50 percent statewide and in each county by 2015. The Department of Commerce (Commerce), with the support of the Interagency Council on Homelessness and the Affordable Housing Advisory Board, is responsible for preparing and publishing a ten-year homeless housing strategic plan with statewide goals and performance measures, and providing biennial progress reports to the Governor and the Legislature. Local areas must also have ten-year plans that are substantially consistent with the state plan.

Recorded Document Surcharge. Originally, a $10 surcharge for local homeless housing and assistance was authorized in 2005 to be charged by the county auditor for each recorded document. Certain documents were exempt from the surcharge. The surcharge was increased to $40 through June 30, 2019. Of the $40 surcharge, the county auditor retains 2 percent; 60 percent goes to the county for homeless housing and assistance, of which 6 percent may be used by the county for administrative costs; and the remaining funds are deposited into the Home Security Fund account. Commerce may use 12.5 percent for administrative fees. Forty-five percent of the remaining 87.5 percent must be set aside for the use of private rental housing payments. The remainder must be used to provide housing and shelter for homeless people and fund the homeless housing grant program.

Summary of Bill: A collection agency may recoup from the debtor the local homeless housing and assistance surcharge imposed when recording a lien or satisfaction of lien with the county auditor.

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: PRO: A judgment lien must be recorded to obtain a lien on homestead property. However, the recording fees are not recoverable. Those recording fees have increased over the years. A number of surcharges have been added. The surcharge for homeless was $10. The surcharge has increased to $40 and that became the tipping point for the need for a change. In addition the homeless surcharge previously applied to a small list of recordings. Last year the law changed to apply the surcharge to all recorded documents with a small list of exceptions. The cost for recording a judgment lien has increased substantially. An amendment may be appropriate so that all recording fees are recoverable and not just the surcharge.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Kevin Underwood, WA Collectors Assn.