(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (2) and (3) of
this section, a person who is required to file a report under RCW 63.29.170 shall pay or deliver to the department all abandoned
property required to be reported at the time of filing the
report.
(2)(a) Counties, cities, towns, and other municipal and
quasi-municipal corporations that hold funds representing
warrants canceled pursuant to RCW 36.22.100 and 39.56.040,
uncashed checks, and property tax overpayments or refunds may
retain the funds until the owner notifies them and establishes
ownership as provided in RCW 63.29.135. Counties, cities, towns,
or other municipal or quasi-municipal corporations shall provide
to the department a report of property it is holding pursuant to
this section. The report shall identify the property and owner
in the manner provided in RCW 63.29.170 and the department shall
publish the information as provided in RCW 63.29.180.
(b)(i) A public transportation authority that holds funds
representing value on abandoned fare cards may retain the funds
until the owner notifies the authority and establishes ownership
as provided in RCW 63.29.135.
(ii) For the purposes of this subsection (2)(b), "public
transportation authority" means a municipality, as defined in RCW 35.58.272, a regional transit authority authorized by chapter 81.112 RCW, a public mass transportation system authorized by
chapter 47.60 RCW, or a city transportation authority authorized
by chapter 35.95A RCW.
(3) The contents of a safe deposit box or other safekeeping
repository presumed abandoned under RCW 63.29.160 and reported
under RCW 63.29.170 shall be paid or delivered to the department
within six months after the final date for filing the report
required by RCW 63.29.170.
If the owner establishes the right to receive the abandoned
property to the satisfaction of the holder before the property
has been delivered or it appears that for some other reason the
presumption of abandonment is erroneous, the holder need not pay
or deliver the property to the department, and the property will
no longer be presumed abandoned. In that case, the holder shall
file with the department a verified written explanation of the
proof of claim or of the error in the presumption of abandonment.
(4) The holder of an interest under RCW 63.29.100 shall
deliver a duplicate certificate or other evidence of ownership if
the holder does not issue certificates of ownership to the
department. Upon delivery of a duplicate certificate to the
department, the holder and any transfer agent, registrar, or
other person acting for or on behalf of a holder in executing or
delivering the duplicate certificate is relieved of all liability
of every kind in accordance with RCW 63.29.200 to every person,
including any person acquiring the original certificate or the
duplicate of the certificate issued to the department, for any
losses or damages resulting to any person by the issuance and
delivery to the department of the duplicate certificate.
[2005 c 502 § 4; 2005 c 367 § 3; 2005 c 285 § 2; 1993 c 498 § 8; 1991 c 311 § 7; 1990 2nd ex.s. c 1 § 302; 1983 c 179 § 19.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2005 c 285 § 2, 2005 c 367 § 3, and by 2005 c 502 § 4, each without reference to the other. All amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).
Effective date -- 2005 c 502: See note following RCW 1.12.070.
Severability -- 1991 c 311: See note following RCW 82.14.310.
Applicability -- 1990 2nd ex.s. c 1: See note following RCW 63.29.135.
Severability -- 1990 2nd ex.s. c 1: See note following RCW 82.14.300.