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WashingtonHB 12602025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Concerning administrative costs associated with the document recording fee.

Sponsored By: Suzanne Schmidt (Republican)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

County and city rules for homeless funds

Counties keep 30% of surcharge money. They may use up to 10% of that for administration, and must use at least 75% to carry out the county homeless housing plan. A city may choose to run its own program; then the combined admin and 75% amounts go to the city based on its share of the county’s real estate excise tax, paid at least quarterly with no county admin cut. Each county or city may use up to 10% of its share for its own admin. Counties must also keep at least 15% of their share for very low‑income housing, with priority to households at or below 30% of area median income; allowed uses include buying, building or fixing housing, operations and maintenance, rental vouchers, and emergency or youth shelters.

How surcharge money is split

Beginning July 27, 2025, when the surcharge is collected, money is split by set shares. 1% stays with the county auditor; 30% stays with the county; 54.1% goes to the state Home Security Fund; 13.1% goes to the Affordable Housing for All account; and 1.8% goes to the Landlord Mitigation account. The Department of Commerce manages the state accounts.

More state help for homelessness and housing

Commerce uses the state accounts to fund homelessness and deeply affordable housing. From the Home Security Fund, at least 90% goes to grants for rental help, eviction prevention, shelters, outreach, youth housing, vouchers, rapid rehousing, and services for permanent supportive housing; up to 10% pays for administration. Counties get first chance to take these grants; youth‑homelessness funding is exempt from that rule. From the Affordable Housing for All account, at least 90% covers operations, maintenance, and supportive services for housing for households at or below 30% of area median income; supported permanent supportive housing must be dedicated as such. The Landlord Mitigation account funds the program that reduces landlord risk, with up to 10% for administration and database costs.

New $183 fee on document recording

Beginning July 27, 2025, you pay a $183 surcharge for each document you record with the county auditor. This is on top of other recording fees, and the person who records pays it. You do not pay it for assignments or substitutions of a recorded deed of trust; birth, marriage, divorce, or death records; documents already exempt under state law; county‑issued marriage licenses; or government and wage liens or satisfactions of lien.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Suzanne Schmidt

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Natasha Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Timm Ormsby

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 145 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 3/5/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    4/21/2025House

  2. Chapter 74, 2025 Laws.

    4/21/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    4/21/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/15/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/14/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/11/2025legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/10/2025House

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/10/2025House

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    4/7/2025House

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/26/2025House

  11. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/24/2025House

  12. WM - Majority; do pass.

    3/24/2025House

  13. First reading, referred to Ways & Means.

    3/7/2025House

  14. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    3/5/2025House

  15. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/5/2025House

  16. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    3/5/2025House

  17. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/18/2025House

  18. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/10/2025House

  19. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/6/2025House

  20. APP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/6/2025House

  21. First reading, referred to Appropriations.

    1/14/2025House

  22. Introduced

    1/14/2025House

Bill Text

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