HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 5528

                       As Passed House

                       April 15, 1993

Title:  An act relating to court fees.

Brief Description:  Altering court fees.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senator Quigley).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Judiciary, April 2, 1993, DPA;

Passed House - Amended, April 15, 1993, 87-9.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 15 members:  Representatives Appelwick, Chair; Ludwig, Vice Chair; Padden, Ranking Minority Member; Ballasiotes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Chappell; Johanson; Locke; Long; Mastin; H. Myers; Riley; Schmidt; Scott; and Wineberry.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Tate.

Staff:  Patricia Shelledy (786-7149).

Background:  Superior Courts are authorized to collect fees for certain court services.  Fees for some services are as follows:

"Filing noncourt documents and agreed probate documents:  $2

"Garnishments and writs of attachment:  $5

"Filing a will:  $2

"Preparation of passport applications:  $4

"Records search with written report:  $8 per hour

"Copies of audiotapes or videotapes of court proceedings:  None specified.

Many people who file for divorce represent themselves without the assistance of an attorney.  Some counties have provided a "courthouse facilitator" under a temporary grant program for low income pro se litigants.  The courthouse facilitators do not provide legal advice but help litigants with basic information.

Summary of Bill:  Fees for the following Superior Court services are raised or imposed as follows:

"Filing noncourt documents and agreed probate documents:  $20

"Garnishments and writs of attachment:  $20

"Filing a will:  $20

"Preparation of passport applications:  Same fee as authorized by the federal government (currently $10).

"Clerks' special services:  Not to exceed $20 per hour.

"Copies of audiotapes of court proceedings:  $10

"Copies of videotapes of court proceedings:  $25

A county may create a courthouse facilitator program to provide basic services to pro se litigants in family law cases.  The counties may impose user fees or may impose a surcharge of up to $10 on family law case filings to pay for the program.  Revenue collected will be placed in a separate account to fund the program.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Fees for these services have not been raised for years and have not kept pace with the cost of providing the services.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Kay Anderson, Washington Association of County Clerks (pro); and Debbie Wilkie, Washington Association of County Officials (pro).