SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5567

BYSenators McCaslin and Warnke; by request of Administrator for the Courts

Clarifying district court fees.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 9, 1989; February 20, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5567 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Madsen, Nelson, Niemi, Rasmussen, Talmadge, Thorsness.

Senate Staff:Ben Barnes (786-7465)

                  February 27, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, FEBRUARY 20, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Under current law, clerks of the district courts are authorized to assess and collect a filing fee of $25 in all civil cases commenced in or transferred to their courts.  However, there is no centralized statutory fee schedule for other court costs.

It is suggested that a centralized statutory fee schedule be created.

SUMMARY:

District court clerks are authorized to assess and collect specific fees for their official services.  Proposed fees are as follows:  For issuing a writ of garnishment or other writ, $20; for filing a supplemental proceeding, $20; for demanding a jury trial in a civil case, $35; for preparing a transcript of judgment, $5; for certifying any document on file or of record, $4; for preparing a case for appeal to superior court, $20; and for duplication of part or all of a taped proceeding, $10.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The fee for issuing a unit of garnishment or other writ is reduced from the proposed $20 to $6.  The proposed fee for filing a supplemental proceeding is reduced from $20 to $6.

A fee of no more than $1 per page is authorized for preparing any copy.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    yes

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Judge Jim Heuer, Washington State Magistrates Association (pro); Mike Kilborn, Washington Association of Court Administrators (pro); Benita McCormack, Washington Collectors Association (pro); Dan Hunter, Washington Collectors Association (pro)