The bill aims to modify laws related to adverse possession in Washington State to better protect legal property owners. It emphasizes the importance of respecting property rights and ensures that individuals with legal title to property can defend against claims from those without ownership. A new section is introduced to clarify that if there is a properly recorded instrument establishing ownership and boundaries, claims of open and notorious possession cannot be used to challenge the property owner's rights in boundary disputes.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws, specifically RCW 7.28.050 and 7.28.083, to outline the conditions under which adverse possession claims can be made and the responsibilities of parties involved in such disputes. Notably, it removes the provision that allowed the prevailing party in an adverse possession case to request costs and reasonable attorneys' fees, indicating a shift in how legal expenses are handled in these cases. The bill also repeals RCW 7.28.100, further streamlining the legal framework surrounding adverse possession.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 7.28.050, 7.28.083, 7.28.100