SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5825

BYSenate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by  Senators Conner and Talmadge)

Revising provisions on horizontal property regimes.

Senate Committee on Judiciary

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 19, 1987, March 4, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5825 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Talmadge, Chairman; Halsan, Vice Chairman; McCaslin, Moore, Nelson, Newhouse.

Senate Staff:Carolyn J. Mayer (786-7418)

                  April 20, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 13, 1987

BACKGROUND:

It has been reported that the current law with respect to condominium construction, ownership, and management is outdated.  Revisions to the current law are needed to effectively address these concerns.

SUMMARY:

When the plans of a condominium or apartment building are filed with the county auditor, the description of each unit shall include the approximate square footage of the unit, and its number of bathrooms, bedrooms, and built in fireplaces.  Separately delineated storage areas for motor vehicles are included in the definition of "apartment."

It is the intent of the Legislature to improve and modify the present act by incorporating provisions of the Uniform Condominium Act.  A statutory committee shall review the act, draft revisions, and report to the Legislature by January 1, 1988.  Membership of the committee shall be as follows:  (1) One member each of the majority and minority parties of the House of Representatives and the Senate; (2) four members of the Senate Judiciary Condominium Task Force Drafting Subcommittee; (3) a member of the Washington Land Title Association; (4) a member of the Washington Association of Realtors; (5) A member of the Washington Mortgage Bankers Association; (6) a member of the Washington Chapter of the Condominium Associations Institute; (7) a member of the State Homebuilders Association; (8) a member of the State Bar Association; and (9) a member of the State Association of County Officials.

Fiscal Note:      requested

Appointments by Legislature Required:     One senator from each of the majority and minority parties appointed by President, one representative from each of the majority and minority parties appointed by the Speaker.

Senate Committee - Testified: Robert Diamond, National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform Laws; George Tady, Veterans' Administration; Peter Middlebrooks, Judiciary Committee Condominium Task Force; Andy Anderson, Community Associations Institute; Gary Ackerman, Judiciary Committee Condominium Task Force; Arlene Engle, Dominion Terrace Homeowners' Association; Robert Ford; Cynthia Vaughan, Windemere Condominiums; James Strichartz, Judiciary Committee Condominium Task Force

HOUSE AMENDMENT:

The intent section is removed.

A statement of any scenic view which affects the value of an apartment and a statement of the initial value of an apartment relative to other apartments in the building must be included in plans filed with the County Auditor.

The four members of the condominium task force drafting subcommittee are removed as members of the statutory committee created to modify present law.  Four members of the public, appointed by the Governor, who own and occupy individual apartments and who are not members of any of the entities appointing committee members, are to be part of the statutory committee.  One additional committee member, appointed by the Director of the Department Licensing, is added.