HOUSE BILL REPORT
ESB 6608
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Passed House:
March 7, 2012
Title: An act relating to judicial stabilization trust account surcharges.
Brief Description: Changing judicial stabilization trust account surcharges.
Sponsors: Senators Harper, Pflug, Frockt, Kline and Eide.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
None.
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/7/12, 54-43.
Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill |
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Staff: Edie Adams (786-7180).
Background:
District and superior courts are authorized by statute to collect fees for court services. In 2009 the Legislature required the district and superior courts to collect the following temporary surcharges:
for filing fees for civil actions in district court (other than small claims), the surcharge is $20;
for filing fees for small claims actions, the surcharge is $10;
for fees collected by county clerks for appellate review, the surcharge is $30;
for filing fees for the first or initial paper in appellate actions in superior court, the surcharge is $20; and
for other superior court filing fees (except for filing fees related to unlawful harassment and fees imposed on criminal defendants) the surcharge is $30.
Seventy-five percent of these surcharges must be deposited in the Judicial Stabilization Trust Account, to be used for the support of judicial branch agencies. The remaining 25 percent of the surcharges are retained by the counties. Local revenues from the surcharges on district court filing fees must be used to support local trial courts and court-related functions. The temporary surcharges expire on July 1, 2013.
Summary of Bill:
The temporary surcharges, other than the surcharge for small claims actions, are all increased by $10:
for filing fees for civil actions in district court (other than small claims), the surcharge is $30;
for fees collected by county clerks for appellate review, the surcharge is $40;
for filing fees for the first or initial paper in appellate actions in superior court, the surcharge is $30; and
for other superior court filing fees (except for filing fees related to unlawful harassment and fees imposed on criminal defendants) the surcharge is $40.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on March 7, 2012.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.