HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2063

As Reported by House Committee On:

Judiciary

Title:  An act relating to providing methods of funding county law libraries other than through civil filing fees.

Brief Description:  Providing methods of funding county law libraries other than through civil filing fees.

Sponsors:  Representative Carrell.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Judiciary:  2/23/01, 2/27/01 [DP].

  Brief Summary of Bill

$Expresses legislative intent to find increased efficiencies in the operation of county law libraries and to find alternative sources of funding.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Carrell, Republican Co‑Chair; Lantz, Democratic Co‑Chair; Hurst, Democratic Vice Chair; Lambert, Republican Vice Chair; Casada, Dickerson, Esser, Lovick and McDermott.

Minority Report:  Do not pass. Signed by 1 member: Representative Boldt.

Staff:  Bill Perry (786‑7123).

Background:

Each county with a population of 8,000 or more is required to maintain a county law library.  The library is governed by a board of trustees.  Smaller counties may have a law library which is run by the prosecuting attorney.  Counties may also join to form a regional law library.  In a county where a library is required, a "suitable" room with adequate heat, light, and janitorial services must be provided by the county.  In a county of 300,000 population or more, the law library must be free to all users.  In smaller counties, libraries must be free for judges, county officials, lawyers, and any others as determined by the law library board.

Funding for law libraries is through portions of the civil filing fees in superior and district courts. Twelve dollars of every new probate or civil filing fee collected in superior court and $6 of every civil filing fee collected in district court are to be used for the support of the county law library.  Upon approval of the library board of trustees and the county legislative authority, the fee in superior court may be increased to $15.

Summary of  Bill:

The Legislature declares its intent to find increased efficiencies in the operation of county law libraries and to find alternatives to civil filing fees as a funding source for those libraries.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill will provide a vehicle for work that is underway to find alternative funding sources.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Julie Murray, King County.