Bill > HB1207

This bill amends existing law regarding superior court clerk fees by modifying the fee structure and surcharge requirements for various legal filings. Specifically, the bill maintains the existing $200 filing fee for most civil actions, appeals, and probate proceedings, with exceptions like unlawful detainer actions (which have a $45 fee) and certain petitions. The bill introduces a new $50 surcharge on certain filing fees, with $45 of that surcharge to be distributed as follows: $20 to the Washington state legacy project, state library, and archives account, and $25 to the judicial stabilization trust account. The remaining surcharge funds will be retained by the county for clerk's office operations. The bill also clarifies existing fee waiver provisions for indigent defendants and maintains existing provisions about fee collection and exemptions, such as no fees for parental rights relinquishment petitions or abstract of judgment filings by county clerks. The changes aim to provide additional funding for state archives and judicial stabilization while supporting county clerk operations.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1207&Year=2025&Initiative=false