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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>FYI – a response to my TAN message, and my reply to Sen. Solomon.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>I assume others have now received responses to their similar TAN emails. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>This will obviously be on the agenda at the Board/Annual meeting in Coeur d’Alene.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>George<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>George Peters, WTP<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>Executive Director<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>Washington Land Title Association<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'><a href="https://washingtonlandtitle.com"><span style='color:#0563C1'>https://washingtonlandtitle.com</span></a> <span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>Mail: PO Box 328, Lynnwood, WA 98046<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>Delivery: 6817 208<sup>th</sup> St SW, #328, Lynnwood, WA 98036<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>206-437-5869 (Mobile)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>206-260-4731 (Fax)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'><a href="mailto:execdirector@wltaonline.org"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:blue'>execdirector@washingtonlandtitle.com</span></a></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><img border=0 width=169 height=97 style='width:1.7583in;height:1.0083in' id="Picture_x0020_635029921" src="cid:image002.jpg@01DB941C.60CF8710" alt="WLTA Logo w-Ring Blue 1a"><img border=0 width=95 height=95 style='width:.9916in;height:.9916in' id="Picture_x0020_2118071694" src="cid:image003.jpg@01DB941C.60CF8710"></span><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>This is a confidential communication intended solely for the named recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy it and call George Peters at 206-437-5869 immediately. Thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> George Peters <execdirector@washingtonlandtitle.com> <br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, March 13, 2025 1:33 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'Salomon, Sen. Jesse' <Jesse.Salomon@leg.wa.gov><br><b>Subject:</b> RE: Constituent Email RR: - Please support SB 5111 / HB 1115 and prevent increased costs for homebuyers!<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Thank you, Senator Solomon. Our industry will continue to advocate on this issue, and hope to get it resolved in due course.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>George<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>George Peters, WTP<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>Executive Director<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>Washington Land Title Association<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'><a href="https://washingtonlandtitle.com"><span style='color:#0563C1'>https://washingtonlandtitle.com</span></a> <span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>Mail: PO Box 328, Lynnwood, WA 98046<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>Delivery: 6817 208<sup>th</sup> St SW, #328, Lynnwood, WA 98036<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>206-437-5869 (Mobile)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#1F497D;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>206-260-4731 (Fax)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'><a href="mailto:execdirector@wltaonline.org"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:blue'>execdirector@washingtonlandtitle.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><img border=0 width=169 height=97 style='width:1.7583in;height:1.0083in' id="Picture_x0020_1347791889" src="cid:image002.jpg@01DB941C.60CF8710" alt="WLTA Logo w-Ring Blue 1a"><img border=0 width=95 height=95 style='width:.9916in;height:.9916in' id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image003.jpg@01DB941C.60CF8710"></span><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>This is a confidential communication intended solely for the named recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy it and call George Peters at 206-437-5869 immediately. Thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> Stull, Sophia <<a href="mailto:Sophia.Stull@leg.wa.gov">Sophia.Stull@leg.wa.gov</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Salomon, Sen. Jesse<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, March 13, 2025 1:27 PM<br><b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:execdirector@washingtonlandtitle.com">execdirector@washingtonlandtitle.com</a><br><b>Subject:</b> RE: Constituent Email RR: - Please support SB 5111 / HB 1115 and prevent increased costs for homebuyers!<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dear George,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you for reaching out. We just passed a major bill cutoff, and this bill did not pass out of its committee before the deadline for bills to be voted out of fiscal committees. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>While it is unlikely this bill will progress further this session, I appreciate your advocacy on this issue. Senate Bill 5111 will start in the Ways & Means committee next session, and I will keep your comments in mind when it is up for consideration again.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please contact me with any other comments or concerns in the future, I am happy to listen. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:2.0in'>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:2.0in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:2.0in'><img border=0 width=176 height=52 style='width:1.8333in;height:.5416in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image004.jpg@01DB941C.60CF8710" alt=Salomon-sig2><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:2.0in'>Jesse<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#0070C0'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:#0070C0'>Jesse Salomon</span></i></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#002060'>Senator, 32<sup>nd</sup> Legislative District</span><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#002060'>Washington State Senate</span><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#002060'>Office: (360) 786 – 7662 | | </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><a href="mailto:jesse.salomon@leg.wa.gov"><span style='color:#0563C1'>jesse.salomon@leg.wa.gov</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#002060'>Sign up for my Enewsletter <a href="https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WALEGSDCMEMBERS/subscriber/new?topic_id=WALEGSDCMEMBERS_51"><span style='color:#0563C1'>here</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#002060'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='color:#7030A0'>We must resist the polarization that is reshaping our identities around politics. We must focus on a few core truths: that we are all human, we are all Americans and we have common hopes for our communities and our country to thrive. We must find ways to re-engage across the divide, respectfully and constructively, by holding civil conversations with family, friends and co-workers and standing up collectively to the forces dividing us. Violence has no place in our politics- Former President Jimmy Carter<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#002060'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><i>Hold the paper!! I prefer that flyers and information sheets be sent electronically in an effort to reduce environmental impacts. I thank you for your assistance!</i><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><i>Please be aware that any email or documents you provide to this office may be subject to public disclosure under RCW 42.56. If you would prefer to communicate by phone, please contact the office at (360) 786-7662. <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> <a href="mailto:execdirector@washingtonlandtitle.com">execdirector@washingtonlandtitle.com</a> <<a href="mailto:execdirector@washingtonlandtitle.com">execdirector@washingtonlandtitle.com</a>> <br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, January 27, 2025 5:34 PM<br><b>To:</b> Salomon, Sen. Jesse <<a href="mailto:Jesse.Salomon@leg.wa.gov">Jesse.Salomon@leg.wa.gov</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> Constituent Email RR: - Please support SB 5111 / HB 1115 and prevent increased costs for homebuyers!<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><br>SENATE INTERNET E-MAIL DELIVERY SERVICE<br><br>TO: Jesse Salomon<br><br>FROM: George Peters (Constituent)<br><br>STREET ADDRESS:<br>1160 N 192nd St Apt 313<br>Shoreline, WA 98133<br><br>E-MAIL: <a href="mailto:execdirector@washingtonlandtitle.com">execdirector@washingtonlandtitle.com</a><br><br>PHONE: (206) 437-5869<br><br>SUBJECT: Please support SB 5111 / HB 1115 and prevent increased costs for homebuyers!<br><br>MESSAGE:<br><br>Senator Salomon I am a constituent who works in the title industry and am writing to ask you to support Senate Bill 5111/ House Bill 1115, concerning the excise tax treatment of recording fees. This bill makes clear that taxes should not be collected on recording fees, which helps reduce the costs for buying a home. Recording fees have long been considered a pass-through cost for consumers. Recently, the DOR proposed that these fees be taxed. Here are some key reasons there should not be a tax on recording fees. 1. Under WAC 458-20-111, the customer or client alone is liable for the payment of fees or costs. Advances and reimbursements may be excluded from taxable amounts when they meet all of the following conditions: 1. They are a customary reimbursement for an advance made to procure a service for the client. 2. They are for services that the taxpayer does not and cannot render. 3. The taxpayer is not liable for the payment except as an agent for the client. Document recording fees meet all three of these conditions! 2. Document recording fees are collected by the county Auditor when documents are presented for recording in the public record. The standard recording fee is set by state law and is currently $303.50. Of this amount, $4.83 is the fee which goes to Recording Operations and Maintenance and the remaining $298.67 is tax collected and disbursed to various Affordable Housing funds, Archives and Preservation funds and the General Fund for county administration and operations. A majority of this fee is taxes, and based on a recent state supreme court ruling should not be further taxed. 3. Recording fees are disbursed to the Auditor in the same manner as REETA funds are disbursed to the Treasurer, or loan payoffs are disbursed to a lender. All of these are part of the normal process involved in closing a real estate sale transaction, yet the DOR is asserting that the recording fee is a cost of doing business to the title or escrow company and the other items are not. 4. Tax law should be applied consistently. Multiple title companies have been audited by the DOR in the last ten years and the findings of these audits have not been consistent. We are told by the DOR that we can rely on the guidance provided on their website via WTD documents, yet their own auditors do not apply those decisions in the same manner from audit to audit. Like any other business, we need reliable and consistent information, this bill would provide that. I hope you will vote in support of Senate Bill 5111/House Bill 1115, which will keep consumers from paying additional costs when they buy or refinance a property. Thank you, George Peters <br><br>RESPONSE REQUESTED: George has requested a response to this message.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>