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<p class="MsoNormal">RCW 65.24.040 established a new entity, known as the Recording Standards Commission (RSC). Its purpose, per that statute is:<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><i></i><i><span style="font-size:11.5pt">The Recording Standards Commission is intended to clarify existing laws regarding the recording of documents with county recording departments and county auditors. Recording standards and practices
vary from county to county which creates confusion and liability. Simplified and standardized recording standards and fees are therefore needed to better harmonize practices throughout the state.</span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The 13 members of the commission are mostly county auditors, as well as a representative from the Washington Mortgage Bankers Assn, Escrow Association of Washington and Washington Land Title Association. One seat was also set aside for
a member of the WSBA. I was nominated and approved to represent WSBA.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The Commission held its first meeting yesterday, with the attachment as its starting point re: issues to work on. As you can see, most of the issues are technical in nature as to how the various recorder’s/auditor’s offices work.
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<p class="MsoNormal">I want to bring to the RSC all of your various gripes about county recorders/auditors offices. One thing I have learned already is that these offices consider themselves entirely separate (and mostly with no accountability) on issues from
the DOR relating to REET. However, I am pushing for them to at least become aware of these sorts of issues from practitioners. So (at the risk of blowing up my email in-box), I invite all member of the WSBA Real Property section to email me your issues and
concerns with various recording offices. Please identify which county office you are writing about when you respond.
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<p class="MsoNormal">I have a one year appointment to the RSC, so please bookmark my contact info.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Please note our new website and email address as of 1/1/21.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Chris Benis<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">First Avenue Law Group, PLLC<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">321 First Avenue West, Seattle, WA 98119<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">206.447-1900 office – 206.447.9075 fax – www. firstavenuelaw.com
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This message contains information that may be CONFIDENTIAL AND PRIVILEGED. Unless you are the addressee (or authorized to receive for the addressee), you may not use, copy or disclose to anyone the message or any information contained
in the message. If you have received the message in error, please advise the sender by reply e-mail chrisb@firstavenuelaw.com, and delete this message. Thank you very much.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">To comply with recent IRS rules, we must inform you that this message, if it contains advice relating to federal taxes, was not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed
under federal tax law. Under recent IRS rules, a taxpayer may rely on professional advice to avoid federal tax penalties only if that advice is reflected in a comprehensive tax opinion that conforms to stringent requirements under federal law. Please contact
me if you would like to discuss our preparation of an opinion that conforms to these new rules.<o:p></o:p></p>
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