H-2151.1

HOUSE BILL 1910

State of Washington
68th Legislature
2024 Regular Session
ByRepresentatives Walen, McClintock, Chapman, Cheney, Reeves, and Hackney
Prefiled 12/07/23.Read first time 01/08/24.Referred to Committee on Consumer Protection & Business.
AN ACT Relating to pawnbroker fees and interest rates; and amending RCW 19.60.060 and 19.60.061.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1. RCW 19.60.060 and 2015 c 294 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
All pawnbrokers are authorized to charge and receive interest and other fees at the following rates for money on the security of personal property actually received in pledge:
(1) The interest for the loan period shall not exceed:
(a) For an amount loaned up to $9.99 - interest at $1.00 for each thirty-day period to include the loan date.
(b) For an amount loaned from $10.00 to $19.99 - interest at the rate of $1.25 for each thirty-day period to include the loan date.
(c) For an amount loaned from $20.00 to $24.99 - interest at the rate of $1.50 for each thirty-day period to include the loan date.
(d) For an amount loaned from $25.00 to $34.99 - interest at the rate of $1.75 for each thirty-day period to include the loan date.
(e) For an amount loaned from $35.00 to $39.99 - interest at the rate of $2.00 for each thirty-day period to include the loan date.
(f) For an amount loaned from $40.00 to $49.99 - interest at the rate of $2.25 for each thirty-day period to include the loan date.
(g) For the amount loaned from $50.00 to $59.99 - interest at the rate of $2.50 for each thirty-day period to include the loan date.
(h) For the amount loaned from $60.00 to $69.99 - interest at the rate of $2.75 for each thirty-day period to include the loan date.
(i) For the amount loaned from $70.00 to $79.99 - interest at the rate of $3.00 for each thirty-day period to include the loan date.
(j) For the amount loaned from $80.00 to $89.99 - interest at the rate of $3.25 for each thirty-day period to include the loan date.
(k) For the amount loaned from $90.00 to $99.99 - interest at the rate of $3.50 for each thirty-day period to include the loan date.
(l) For loan amounts of $100.00 or more - interest at the rate of ((four))five percent for each thirty-day period to include the loan date.
(2) The fee for the preparation of loan documents, pledges, or reports required under the laws of the United States of America, the state of Washington, or the counties, cities, towns, or other political subdivisions thereof, shall not exceed:
(a) For the amount loaned up to $4.99 - the sum of $1.50.
(b) For the amount loaned from $5.00 to $9.99 - the sum of $3.00.
(c) For the amount loaned from $10.00 to $14.99 - the sum of $4.00.
(d) For the amount loaned from $15.00 to $19.99 - the sum of $4.50.
(e) For the amount loaned from $20.00 to $24.99 - the sum of $5.00.
(f) For the amount loaned from $25.00 to $29.99 - the sum of $5.50.
(g) For the amount loaned from $30.00 to $34.99 - the sum of $6.00.
(h) For the amount loaned from $35.00 to $39.99 - the sum of $6.50.
(i) For the amount loaned from $40.00 to $44.99 - the sum of $7.00.
(j) For the amount loaned from $45.00 to $49.99 - the sum of $7.50.
(k) For the amount loaned ((from))of $50.00 ((to $99.99))or more - fifteen percent of the loan amount.
(((l) For the amount loaned from $100.00 to $249.99 - thirteen percent of the loan amount.
(m) For the amount loaned from $250.00 to $499.99 - ten percent of the loan amount.
(n) For the amount loaned from $500.00 to $999.99 - eight percent of the loan amount.
(o) For the amount loaned from $1000.00 to $1499.99 - seven and one-half percent of the loan amount.
(p) For the amount loaned from $1500.00 to $1999.99 - seven percent of the loan amount.
(q) For the amount loaned of $2000.00 or more - six percent of the loan amount.))
(3) For each thirty-day period, a pawnbroker may charge:
(a) A storage fee of (($5.00))$10.00; and
(b) An additional fee of (($5.00))$10.00 for storing a firearm.
(4) Fees under subsection (2) of this section may be charged one time only for each loan period; no additional fees, other than interest allowed under subsection (1) of this section and storage fees allowed under subsection (3) of this section, shall be charged for making the loan.
A copy of this section, set in twelve point type or larger, shall be posted prominently in each premises subject to this chapter.
Sec. 2. RCW 19.60.061 and 2007 c 125 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The term of the loan shall be for a period of ((ninety))60 days to include the date of the loan.
(2) A pawnbroker shall not sell any property received in pledge, until a minimum of ((ninety))60 days has expired. However, if a pledged article is not redeemed within the ((ninety))60-day period of the term of the loan, the pawnbroker shall have all rights, title, and interest of that item of personal property. The pawnbroker shall not be required to account to the pledgor for the proceeds received from the disposition of that item. Any provision of law relating to the foreclosures and the subsequent sale of forfeited pledged items, shall not be applicable to any pledge as defined under this chapter, the title to which is transferred in accordance with this section.
(3) Every loan transaction entered into by a pawnbroker shall be evidenced by a written document, a copy of which shall be furnished to the pledgor. The document shall set forth the term of the loan; the final date on which the loan is due and payable; the loan preparation fee; the storage fee; the firearm fee, if applicable; any other fee allowed under law that is charged; the amount of interest charged every thirty days; the total amount due including the principal amount, the preparation fee, and all interest charges due if the loan is outstanding for the full ((ninety))60 days allowed by the term; and the annual percentage rate, and shall inform the pledgor of the pledgor's right to redeem the pledge at any time within the term of the loan.
(4) If a person who has entered into a loan transaction with a pawnbroker in this state is unable to redeem and repay the loan on or before the expiration of the term of the loan, and that person wishes to retain his or her rights to use that item by rewriting the loan, and if both parties mutually agree, an existing loan transaction may be rewritten into a new loan, ((either in person or by mail))and payment may be accepted in person, by mail, or through an online payment service. If a pawnbroker elects to accept online payments, the pawnbroker may charge a reasonable service fee, which is a separate fee from applicable interest and fees under RCW 19.60.060, provided that pawnbrokers may not accept payment by credit card. All applicable provisions of this chapter shall be followed in rewriting a loan, except that where an existing loan is rewritten by mail RCW 19.60.020(1) (a) and (g) shall not apply.
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