Title: An act relating to recorded instruments.

Brief Description: Restricting the information on recorded documents.

Sponsors: Representatives Takko, Haigh, Roberts, Hankins, Ericks, Haler, Lovick, McCoy and Chase.

Brief History: Passed House: 3/10/05, 94-0.

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 3/29/05, 3/31/05 [DP, w/oRec].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Kastama, Chair; Berkey, Vice Chair; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Fairley, Haugen, McCaslin, Mulliken and Pridemore.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senator Benton.

Staff: Cindy Fazio (786-7405)

Background: County auditors, or other designated document recording officials, record deeds and other instruments that are required by law to be filed and recorded in the county. Documents for recording must meet certain criteria, including but not limited to, margin sizes, applicable names, addresses, and other reference information.

Summary of Bill: When any instrument, except those generated by governmental agencies, is presented to a county auditor or recording officer for recording, the document may not contain the following information: a social security number; a date of birth identified with a particular person; or the maiden name of a person's parent so as to be identified with a particular person.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: This legislation is another attempt to combat identity theft. Documents that are recorded become public documents and may contain enough personal information to allow abuse of that information by unscrupulous persons. The amendments to the senate bill would benefit this bill. Documents without parcel numbers, addresses, or telephone numbers should not pose a risk for abuse.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Representative Takko, prime sponsor; Kim Wyman, Thurston County Auditor; Stuart Halson, Washington Land Title Association.