AN ACT Relating to modifying the fee to support family services;
Summary
HB 1600 amends Washington law governing marriage license applications and the county fee structure associated with those licenses. The bill keeps the existing application requirements in place, including the information applicants must provide and the authority of counties to require additional information they deem necessary.
The main policy change is to authorize county legislative authorities to impose an additional marriage license fee of up to $15. The bill specifies that the added revenue must be used to fund family services, such as family support centers. In practical terms, the measure creates or expands a dedicated local funding stream tied to marriage license issuance.
Impact
The bill would modify the relevant sections of Washington’s marriage licensing statutes by expressly allowing counties to add up to $15 to the marriage license fee for family services funding. It affects county auditors, county legislative authorities, and marriage license applicants, while directing the proceeds toward family support programs and related services. The underlying marriage application process remains largely unchanged aside from this fee authorization.
Sentiment
The available voting record suggests the bill was generally well received and advanced with broad support. It passed the House Committee on Local Government unanimously, received a strong majority on House third reading and final passage, and later passed the Senate Committee on Local Government unanimously. No committee transcripts are available, but the votes indicate little organized opposition in committee and only moderate floor-level dissent in the House.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the addition of a new or higher fee on marriage licenses, which may be viewed as a cost passed on to couples obtaining licenses. Supporters appear to favor the fee because it creates dedicated funding for family services and family support centers. Any disagreement likely centers on whether marriage license fees are an appropriate funding source for these programs and whether counties should have discretion to impose the surcharge.
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