The bill amends RCW 36.22.250 to establish a surcharge of $183 per document recorded by the county auditor, which is in addition to any other charges authorized by law. Certain documents, such as assignments of previously recorded deeds of trust, vital records (birth, marriage, divorce, death), and various lien documents, are exempt from this surcharge. The funds collected from this surcharge will be allocated as follows: 1% for the county auditor's fee collection activities, 30% for county use, 54.1% to the state treasurer for the home security fund, 13.1% for the affordable housing for all account, and 1.8% for the landlord mitigation program account.

Additionally, the bill specifies how counties can use their portion of the collected funds. It allows counties to retain up to a certain percentage for administration and local distribution of funds, with at least 75% required to be used for local homeless housing plans unless a city in the county opts to operate its own program. If a city does operate its own program, the funds for administrative costs and local homeless housing plans must be combined and distributed based on the city's share of the real estate excise tax. The bill also outlines the use of funds for eligible housing activities aimed at serving extremely low and very low-income households, as well as the administration of various housing assistance programs by the Department of Commerce.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 36.22.250
Substitute Bill: 36.22.250
Bill as Passed Legislature: 36.22.250
Session Law: 36.22.250