SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5396

BYSenators Halsan, Zimmerman, Talmadge and Rasmussen; by request of Department of General Administration

Revising provisions on inactive real estate licenses.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 11, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Halsan, Chairman; Garrett, Vice Chairman; DeJarnatt, McCaslin, Talmadge, Zimmerman.

Senate Staff:Sam Thompson (786-7754); Walt Corneille (786-7452)

                  February 12, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, FEBRUARY 11, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Division of Real Estate of the Department of General Administration employs real estate brokers and salespeople who, by agency policy, are not allowed to maintain active real estate licenses.  These inactive license holders conduct real estate transactions on behalf of the state.

The Department of General Administration requests legislation to exempt these employees from a requirement that brokers and salespeople holding inactive licenses for more than three years complete a 30-hour course in real estate prior to applying for an active license.  Exemption is also sought from annual renewal fees for inactive licenses.

SUMMARY:

Real estate license holders employed by the state who conduct real estate transactions on behalf of the state, and who hold inactive licenses as a result of state employment, are exempt from a licensure requirement.  If these license holders seek to apply for an active license after their license has been inactive for more than three years, they are not held to the usual requirement that a 30-hour course in real estate be completed prior to applying for an active license.  The exemption also applies to state employees who do not conduct real estate transactions on behalf of the state, but hold inactive licenses as a result of state employment.

In addition, the licenses of these employees are carried on inactive status without payment of an annual fee.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED COMMITTEE AMENDMENT:

Language extending the exemption to licensed state employees who do not conduct real estate transactions on behalf of the state is deleted.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Mary Faulk and Ron McQueen, Department of General Administration; Andrew Killmer, Washington Association of Realtors