The bill amends several sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) related to unclaimed property held by museums and historical societies. Key changes include the requirement for museums and societies to send an initial notice of abandonment or loan termination via certified mail to the last known owner, and if no address is available or proof of receipt is not obtained within 30 days, they must provide notice through various methods such as posting on their website, social media, or physical locations. The notice must include a description of the property, the owner's name and address, and a request for any information regarding the owner. If no claim is made within 90 days of the third notice, the property is deemed abandoned and becomes the property of the museum or society.

Additionally, the bill establishes a process for handling property found without donor documentation, requiring museums to notify the public through similar methods. If no claims are received within 90 days of this notification, the property is considered donated to the museum or society. The amendments also clarify that property held for five years or more without a claim is deemed abandoned, and title to the property vests in the museum or society if no assertion of title is made within the specified timeframe. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the process for managing unclaimed property while ensuring that efforts are made to notify potential owners.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 63.26.040
Bill as Passed Legislature: 63.26.040, 63.26.020, 63.26.030, 63.26.050
Session Law: 63.26.040, 63.26.020, 63.26.030, 63.26.050