FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6499

                              C 172 L 90

BYSenate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Nelson, Vognild, Newhouse, Rasmussen, Thorsness, Murray, Patrick, Bender, Rinehart, Bailey, Madsen and Bauer)

Authorizing a surcharge or district court filing fees to fund dispute resolution centers.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

House Committe on Judiciary

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Procedures for creating and operating dispute resolution centers were enacted as part of the Court Improvement Act of 1984.  The intention was to encourage the establishment and use of dispute resolution centers to help meet the need for alternatives to the courts for the resolution of certain disputes.

Dispute resolution centers are currently authorized to seek and accept contributions from counties and municipalities, federal and state agencies, private sources, and any other funds in order to sustain their operations.

SUMMARY:

A county legislative authority may impose a surcharge of up to $10 on each civil filing fee in district court, and a surcharge of up to $15 on each filing fee for small claims actions in order to fund dispute resolution centers established under the current statutory guidelines.  The surcharge accounts must be audited by the State Auditor in accordance with current provisions that mandate the periodic examination of a taxing district's financial affairs.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   42    2

     House 58 39 (House amended)

     Senate          (Senate concurred in part)

     House           (House receded in part)

     House 55 41

     Senate   42    2

EFFECTIVE:July 1, 1990