SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1100
As Passed Senate, March 29, 2023
Title: An act relating to the disposition of the remains of a county resident who dies indigent in an adjacent county outside of Washington.
Brief Description: Concerning the disposition of the remains of a county resident who dies indigent in an adjacent county outside of Washington.
Sponsors: Representatives Schmick and Leavitt.
Brief History: Passed House: 2/9/23, 97-0.
Committee Activity: Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs: 3/09/23, 3/16/23 [DP].
Floor Activity: Passed Senate: 3/29/23, 49-0.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Allows a board of county commissioners to provide for the disposition of the remains of an indigent resident of the county who dies in a neighboring county outside Washington.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, LAND USE & TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Lovelett, Chair; Salomon, Vice Chair; Torres, Ranking Member; Kauffman and Short.
Staff: Karen Epps (786-7424)
Background:

Public cemeteries in Washington are generally managed by cemetery districts or municipalities. A cemetery district is a municipal corporation governed by a board of three elected commissioners that provides cemeteries and conducts cemetery business.


The Funeral and Cemetery Board (Board) enforces and administers the laws generally related to cemeteries, morgues, and human remains. The director of the Department of Licensing (DOL), in consultation with the Board, administers the laws. Facilities, including crematories, that perform services related to the final disposition of human remains are licensed, by a permit or endorsement, by DOL and may be inspected.

 

Generally, a person has the authority to direct the disposition of their own remains. If a person has not made arrangements or provided directions, or if the cost of executing the person's wishes exceeds a reasonable amount, then responsibility for arranging the disposition, and the liability for the costs of the disposition, falls to the person's family or guardian.

 

When a person dies indigent and their body is not claimed by relatives or a church organization, it is the responsibility of the board of county commissioners of the county in which they died to provide for the disposition of the person's remains.
Summary of Bill:

A board of county commissioners may provide for the disposition of the remains of an indigent resident of the county who dies in a neighboring county that is not in Washington.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

None.
Persons Testifying: No one.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.