HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2262

BYRepresentative Walker

Compensating bailee's for services rendered for unclaimed property.

House Committe on Judiciary

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (16)

      Signed by Representatives Appelwick, Chair; Crane, Vice Chair; Padden, Ranking Republican Member; Dellwo, Forner, Hargrove, Inslee, P. King, R. Meyers, Moyer, H. Myers, Schmidt, Scott, D. Sommers, Tate and Wineberry.

House Staff:Regina Jones (786-7191)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 12, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Unclaimed personal property in the hands of a bailee may be sold or donated to charity, unless the parties agree otherwise.  If the property has remained unclaimed for 30 days, the bailee must notify the owner that the property may be sold or donated to charity.  If the property remains unclaimed 60 days after notice is given or attempted and has an aggregate value of less than $100, the bailee must donate the property, or the proceeds from the sale of the property, to a charity which is exempt from federal income tax under the federal internal revenue code.  If the property has an aggregate value of $100 or more, the property must be disposed of by the police or sheriff. No provision is made in the statute for reimbursement of the bailee's costs in disposing of the unclaimed property.

SUMMARY:

The bailee must be reimbursed from the proceeds of sale of unclaimed property for (1) the reasonable costs or charges for goods or services the bailee provided regarding the property; and (2) the cost of providing notice to the owner of the property.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    No one.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    None.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.