AN ACT Relating to filing documents with the corporations division of the secretary of state's office; amending RCW 43.07.173, 43.07.190, and 43.07.400; and repealing RCW 43.07.050, 43.07.090, 43.07.100, 43.07.110, and 43.07.205.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1.  RCW 43.07.173 and 1998 c 38 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The secretary of state ((shall)) may accept and file in the secretary's office ((facsimile)) electronic transmissions of any documents authorized or required to be filed pursuant to Title 23, 23B, 24, or 25 RCW or chapter 18.100 RCW. The acceptance by the secretary of state is conditional upon the document being legible and otherwise satisfying the requirements of state law or rules with respect to form and content, including those established under RCW 43.07.170. If the document must be signed, that requirement ((is)) may be satisfied by ((a facsimile copy of the)) an electronic signature as defined in RCW 19.34.020.

(2) If a fee is required for filing the document, the secretary may reject the document for filing if the fee is not received before, or at the time of, receipt.

Sec. 2.  RCW 43.07.190 and 1991 c 72 s 56 are each amended to read as follows:

Where the secretary of state determines that a summary face sheet or cover sheet would expedite review of any documents made under Title 23B RCW, or chapter 18.100, 23.86, 23.90, 24.03, 24.06, 24.12, 24.20, 24.24, 24.36, ((or)) 25.10, or 25.15 RCW, the secretary of state may require the use of a summary face sheet or cover sheet that accurately reflects the contents of the attached document. The secretary of state may, by rule adopted under chapter 34.05 RCW, specify the required contents of any summary face sheet and the type of document or documents in which the summary face sheet will be required, in addition to any other filing requirements which may be applicable.

Sec. 3.  RCW 43.07.400 and 2007 c 156 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The state domestic partnership registry is created within the secretary of state's office.

(2)(a) The secretary shall prepare a form((s)) entitled "declaration of state registered domestic partnership" ((and "notice of termination of state registered domestic partnership")) to meet the requirements of RCW 26.60.010, 26.60.020, 26.60.030, and 26.60.070.

(b) The "declaration of state registered domestic partnership" form must contain a statement that registration may affect property and inheritance rights, that registration is not a substitute for a will, deed, or partnership agreement, and that any rights conferred by registration may be completely superseded by a will, deed, or other instrument that may be executed by either party. The form must also contain instructions on how the partnership may be terminated.

(3) ((The secretary shall distribute these forms to each county clerk. These)) This form((s)) shall be available to the public at the secretary of state's office((, each county clerk,)) and on the internet.

(4) The secretary shall adopt rules necessary to implement the administration of the state domestic partnership registry.

(1) RCW 43.07.050 (Bureau of statistics—Secretary ex officio commissioner) and 2009 c 549 s 5028 & 1965 c 8 s 43.07.050;

(2) RCW 43.07.090 (Bureau of statistics—Power to obtain statistics—Penalty) and 2009 c 549 s 5029 & 1965 c 8 s 43.07.090;

(3) RCW 43.07.100 (Bureau of statistics—Information confidential—Penalty) and 1965 c 8 s 43.07.100;

(4) RCW 43.07.110 (Bureau of statistics—Deputy commissioner) and 2009 c 549 s 5030 & 1965 c 8 s 43.07.110; and

(5) RCW 43.07.205 (Contract to issue conditional federal employer identification numbers, credentials, and documents in conjunction with license applications) and 1997 c 51 s 3.

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