HB 1600
In CommitteeHouse
Family services support fee
Modifying the fee to support family services.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill raises the maximum extra fee counties can charge when people apply for a marriage license—from $15 to $30—to help fund local family services like family support centers. The fee is optional for counties, and the money must be used for family-related programs.
- Increases the maximum additional fee counties may charge for a marriage license from $15 to $30.
- Specifies that the additional fee must be used to fund family services, such as family support centers.
- Maintains existing requirements for marriage license applications (e.g., oath, personal information).
- Allows each county to decide whether to impose the full $30 fee or a lower amount, up to the new cap.
Who is affected
- Marriage license applicants — Couples applying for a marriage license in Washington will pay a higher fee, as the maximum additional fee for family services increases from $15 to $30.
- County auditors and county legislative authorities — Counties gain flexibility to set the additional fee (up to $30) to fund local family services like family support centers.
- Family service providers — Local family service providers (e.g., family support centers) may receive increased funding depending on each county’s fee structure.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (2)
Generates new dedicated local funding for family support centers, which provide services such as domestic violence prevention, parenting education, and conflict resolution—programs shown to reduce family-related harms and improve community safety and stability.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 26.04.160(2)Supports family education and skill-building through county-funded family support centers, which often offer evidence-based programs on communication, child development, and healthy relationships—benefiting long-term family well-being and intergenerational outcomes.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 26.04.160(2)
Potential Concerns (1)
Increases the cost of obtaining a marriage license by up to $15 per application (from $15 to $30), which disproportionately affects low- and middle-income couples who are less able to absorb the added expense—especially since marriage licenses are a one-time, mandatory government service required for legal recognition of marriage.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 26.04.160(2)
Who Is Most Affected
Couples applying for marriage licenses will pay $15 more per license in counties that adopt the full fee. This is regressive: low- and middle-income applicants—especially those already facing financial strain—bear the full cost, while wealthier applicants are less affected. The fee is mandatory for the license itself, not optional for applicants.
Counties gain discretion over whether to impose the full $30 fee, which creates uneven access to family services across the state. Wealthier counties may adopt the full fee and expand services, while lower-resource counties may opt out or impose only a partial increase—potentially worsening service inequities.
Family service providers may see increased funding in counties that adopt the full $30 fee, enabling expanded programming. However, since implementation is optional and varies by county, the benefit is uneven and may not reach providers in counties that choose not to raise the fee.