Bill > HB2067

This bill aims to reform the document recording fee in Washington state by reducing it to a more cost-reflective amount and eliminating several additional surcharges. The legislature finds that the current document recording fee has expanded beyond its original purpose of covering administrative costs and has effectively become a tax. The bill standardizes the recording fee to $30 per document or the actual county auditor office's cost of recording, whichever is less (which is approximately $21 per document). It repeals multiple existing statutes that imposed various surcharges on document recordings, including fees for historical document preservation, local government archives, prosecution of mortgage lending fraud, and growth management planning. Additionally, the bill requires any remaining balance in the centennial document preservation and modernization account to be transferred to the state general fund. The changes are set to take effect on June 30, 2026, providing ample time for county auditor offices and other stakeholders to adjust to the new fee structure. By simplifying the fee system, the bill seeks to restore the document recording charge to its original administrative purpose and reduce unnecessary financial burden on individuals and businesses recording documents.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2067&Year=2025&Initiative=false