FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 1542

                          C 39 L 99

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Recording surveys.

Sponsors:  Representatives Ericksen, D. Schmidt, Romero and McMorris.

House Committee on Local Government

Senate Committee on State & Local Government

Background:

The statutory process for filing a record of survey for replacing corners was last amended in 1973. Specific details are included, such as map size, ink type, width of margins, and material of map as required by the county auditor where the map is filed.  Size standards for filing preliminary records of corner information set by the Bureau of Surveys and Maps (now the Department of Natural Resources)  are listed.

Two copies of each record of survey and record of monuments and accessories must be filed with the county auditor, and the county must file one with the Bureau of Surveys and Maps.

County auditors are required to keep original copies of all records of surveys and records of corner information in secure books, which are indexed by section, township and range.  They are also required to maintain a counter reference of maps for the public.

Summary:

The process for filing a record of survey is updated to reflect current mapping and copying standards, including microfilming, scanning, and electronic files with certified digital signatures where compatible. 

Filing Process.  All records of survey must be on a mylar map and suitable for copying legible prints through scanning, microfilming or other copying procedures.  Records of surveys may be filed in lieu of standard maps using:  (1) photo mylar with original signatures; (2) electronic files with a certified digital signature if the county has the capability; or (3) any standard material compatible with the county auditor's recording and storage system for counties not required to store permanent versions of surveys.  County auditors must reject any record of survey not suitable for producing legible prints.

Reporting of records of corner information is updated to reflect the agency name change to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).  The use of electronic filing with certified digital signatures is authorized.

The county auditor may require only an original copy of the record, instead of two, if the county uses imaging systems.

County Auditor Responsibilities.  County auditors must accept surveys that are in compliance with the recorder's checklist as jointly developed by a committee consisting of the survey advisory board (an advisory board appointed by the Commissioner of Public Lands) and two representatives of the Washington State Association of County Auditors.  The DNR is required to adopt this checklist.

County auditors are required to keep indexes of records of survey by quarter-quarter section.

County auditors and the DNR are authorized to process an electronic version in place of the original surveyor's print.  Counties may be exempted from keeping a physical book of records if they have the ability to keep permanent archival records that meet or exceed standards set in administrative code by the Division of Archives and Records Management.  The county auditor must keep a copy or image of the original for public reference and must be able to produce full size copies upon request.

Counties are authorized to accept digital signatures issued by a licensed certification authority if the capability exists.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  96 0

     Senate 45 0

Effective:  July 25, 1999