This bill aims to eliminate the document recording tax in Washington State and reestablish it as a fee. The legislature has determined that the document recording fee, originally intended to cover administrative costs, has been significantly increased over time to fund various programs, effectively turning it into a tax. Under the new provisions, county auditor offices will be required to charge the public no more than their actual costs of document recording or $30, whichever is less. The bill also reenacts and amends RCW 36.18.010 to reflect this change, specifically adjusting the fee for recording instruments to a flat rate of $30 per document.

Additionally, the bill repeals several existing statutes related to surcharges and assessments associated with document recording, including RCW 36.22.170, 36.22.175, 36.22.181, 36.22.185, 36.22.240, and 36.22.250. It also mandates that any remaining funds in the centennial document preservation and modernization account be transferred to the state general fund upon the bill's effective date, which is set for June 30, 2026. This legislative change is intended to simplify the fee structure and reduce the financial burden on individuals recording documents.