SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5645
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 of February 21, 2011
Title: An act relating to the existing surcharge for local homeless housing and assistance.
Brief Description: Concerning the existing surcharge for local homeless housing and assistance.
Sponsors: Senators Nelson, Harper, White, Kohl-Welles and Kline.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 2/21/11.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS |
Staff: Richard Ramsey (786-7412)
Background: County auditors are responsible for the recording of specified documents required by law to be maintained as part of the public record kept by a county.
The Legislature has established document recording fee surcharges to benefit low-income or homeless housing programs.
The Homeless Housing and Assistance Act was enacted in 2005, with the goal of reducing homelessness by 50 percent statewide and in each county by 2015. A Homeless Housing and Assistance Act document recording surcharge is collected by county auditors. The fees are distributed and used as follows:
2 percent to the county auditor for collection of the fee;
60 percent is retained by the county and its cities and towns to accomplish the goals in the county's local homeless housing plan and cover administrative costs related to the plan.
38 percent to the State Treasurer for deposit in the Home Security Fund used by the Department of Commerce to provide housing and shelter for homeless people, fund the Homeless Housing Grant program, and administer the Homeless Housing program.
A $10 surcharge was authorized in 2005 via House Bill 2163. In 2009 House Bill 2331 did two things: (1) increased the surcharge to $30 during the 2009-11 and 2011-13 biennia; and (2) returned the surcharge to $10 beginning in the 2013-15 biennium.
Other recording fees that benefit low-income homeless housing programs include:
the Affordable Housing For All surcharge, which is $10 and the revenue from which is distributed as follows:
5 percent is retained by the county for collection, administration, and distribution of funds;
40 percent of the remainder goes to the state Affordable Housing For All account managed by the Department of Commerce; and
60 percent of the remainder goes to the county to serve very low-income households with incomes at or below 50 percent of the area median income; and
a third surcharge is $8 of which 90 percent remains in the county for purposes of implementing the county's homeless housing plan and 10 percent goes to the state for deposit in the Home Security Fund.
Summary of Bill: The $30 document recording surcharge collected by county auditors under the Homeless Housing and Assistance Act is made permanent.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
[OFM requested ten-year cost projection pursuant to I-960.]
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.