The bill amends RCW 36.18.020 to adjust the fees collected by clerks of superior courts for various legal services. It establishes a new fee structure, including a $200 fee for filing initial documents in civil actions, with specific exceptions for unlawful detainer actions and certain other proceedings. Additionally, it introduces surcharges on these fees, with a portion allocated to the state treasurer for various accounts, including a public defense support account and a court interpreter support account. Notably, the bill specifies that no fees will be assessed if an order of dismissal is filed, and it outlines the distribution of collected surcharges.

Furthermore, the bill creates new sections in chapters 36.33, 36.40, 10.101, and 2.43 RCW, establishing a county clerk administrative assistance fund that is exempt from appropriation and budget requirements, allowing the county clerk to authorize expenditures directly. It also establishes the public defense support account and the court interpreter support account, both funded by the surcharges from filing fees, which are designated for improving public defense services and reimbursing interpreter costs, respectively.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 36.18.020
Substitute Bill: 36.18.020