The bill amends various sections of Washington state law concerning legal financial obligations, particularly focusing on the enforcement and collection of costs, fees, and restitution linked to criminal judgments. A notable insertion is the establishment of a new section that renders any previously imposed judgments for costs, fees, and interest on restitution unenforceable if they have been eliminated or repealed by this act. The bill prohibits courts from accepting payments for these obligations post-enactment, declaring such debts null and void. Additionally, it allows courts to waive uncollectible portions of legal financial obligations upon request from the offender, including accrued interest. Other amendments include changes to the percentages of noninterest money collected by municipal and district courts that must be remitted to the state treasurer, now set at 32 percent, and clarifications regarding the accrual of interest on penalties and fines.

Further changes include the requirement for courts to set a minimum monthly payment for restitution at sentencing, considering the offender's current ability to pay, and ensuring that restitution is ordered in all cases where victims are entitled to benefits under the crime victims' compensation act. The bill also emphasizes that offenders who are indigent or homeless cannot be sanctioned for nonpayment of fines unless it is determined that they have the ability to pay. It introduces a judicial stabilization trust account funded by specific surcharges to support judicial branch agencies. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the management of legal financial obligations, provide relief to offenders unable to pay, and ensure that victims receive appropriate compensation while maintaining fairness in the legal system.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 3.50.100, 3.62.020, 3.62.040, 3.66.120, 6.17.020, 9.92.060, 9.94A.725, 9.94A.750, 9.94A.753, 9.94A.760, 9.95.210, 10.99.020, 10.01.170, 10.01.185, 10.05.140, 10.05.170, 10.64.015, 10.64.120, 10.82.070, 10.101.020, 35.20.220, 36.18.016, 36.18.020, 4.56.110, 7.68.035, 9.92.070, 9.94A.6333, 9.94B.040, 10.01.090, 9A.08.030, 43.79.505