SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1161

BYHouse Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Ferguson, Cooper, May, Horn, Betrozoff, Haugen and Miller)

Preserving documents recorded with the county auditors.

House Committe on Local Government

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 16, 1989

Senate Staff:Desley Brooks (786-7443)

AS OF MARCH 16, 1989

BACKGROUND:

County auditors are the repositories of many public records and other documents.  Fees are charged for the filing of most documents with county auditors.

SUMMARY:

County auditors are authorized to install and maintain improved systems to copy, preserve, and index recorded documents, including photomicrographics and computerized digital storage.

A surcharge of $2 per instrument recorded with a county auditor is imposed.  $1 of this surcharge expires on January 1, 1995.

Fifty percent of the surcharge receipts is retained by the county and deposited in the auditor's operation and maintenance fund for preserving historical documents.  The other 50 percent is transmitted to the State Treasurer monthly.  After deducting administrative costs not to exceed 1 percent, the State Treasurer distributes these moneys back to the counties as follows: (1) half of the moneys are distributed equally among the counties; and (2) the balance is distributed to counties in direct proportion to their populations.  The moneys received by a county from the State Treasurer must be placed into a new account entitled the auditor's centennial document preservation and modernization account.  These funds are to be used exclusively for the preservation of historical documents.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested