OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington state House has passed a bill increasing filing fees on real estate transactions, with the money to go for homeless housing and assistance.
The bill increases by $10 the current $30 homeless surcharge on a range of documents, including liens, deeds and deeds of trust.
Sentiments on the House floor ran high before Thursday night’s 55-42 vote, with Republicans rising to oppose the bill and Democrats speaking in favor of it.
Republican Rep. Bill Hinkle of Cle Elem said, “Sometimes living in a car is not a bad thing,” adding that a couple nights of homelessness can motivate people to take charge of their lives.
