reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
WA Rev Code § 19.16.130 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 19 - Business Regulations—Miscellaneous|Chapter 19.16 - Collection Agencies.|19.16.130 - License—Application—Form—Contents.

RCW 19.16.130 License—Application—Form—Contents.Every application for a license shall be in writing, under oath, and in the form prescribed by the director.Every application shall contain such relevant information as the director may require.The applicant shall furnish the director with such evidence as the director may reasonably require to establish that the requirements and qualifications for a licensee have been fulfilled by the applicant.Every application for a license shall state, among other things that may be required, the name of the applicant with the name under which the applicant will do business and the location by street and number, city and state of each office of the business for which the license is sought.No license shall be issued in any fictitious name which may be confused with or which is similar to any federal, state, county, or municipal governmental function or agency or in any name which may tend to describe any business function or enterprise not actually engaged in by the applicant or in any name which is the same as or so similar to that of any existing licensee as would tend to deceive the public or in any name which would otherwise tend to be deceptive or misleading. The foregoing shall not necessarily preclude the use of a name which may be followed by a geographically descriptive title which would distinguish it from a similar name licensed but operating in a different geographical area.[ 1971 ex.s. c 253 § 4.]
WA Rev Code § 19.16.140 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 19 - Business Regulations—Miscellaneous|Chapter 19.16 - Collection Agencies.|19.16.140 - License—Application—Fees—Exemptions.

RCW 19.16.140 License—Application—Fees—Exemptions.Each applicant when submitting his or her application shall pay a licensing fee and an investigation fee determined by the director as provided in RCW 43.24.086. The licensing fee for an out-of-state collection agency shall not exceed fifty percent of the licensing fee for a collection agency. An out-of-state collection agency is exempt from the licensing fee if the agency is licensed or registered in a state that does not require payment of an initial fee by any person who collects debts in the state only by means of interstate communications from the person's location in another state. If a license is not issued in response to the application, the license fee shall be returned to the applicant.An annual license fee determined by the director as provided in RCW 43.24.086 shall be paid to the director on or before January first of each year. The annual license fee for an out-of-state collection agency shall not exceed fifty percent of the annual license fee for a collection agency. An out-of-state collection agency is exempt from the annual license fee if the agency is licensed or registered in a state that does not require payment of an annual fee by any person who collects debts in the state only by means of interstate communications from the person's location in another state. If the annual license fee is not paid on or before January first, the licensee shall be assessed a penalty for late payment in an amount determined by the director as provided in RCW 43.24.086. If the fee and penalty are not paid by January thirty-first, it will be necessary for the licensee to submit a new application for a license: PROVIDED, That no license shall be issued upon such new application unless and until all fees and penalties previously accrued under this section have been paid.Any license or branch office certificate issued under the provisions of this chapter shall expire on December thirty-first following the issuance thereof.[ 2011 c 336 § 509; 1994 c 195 § 4; 1985 c 7 § 81; 1975 1st ex.s. c 30 § 90; 1971 ex.s. c 253 § 5.]
WA Rev Code § 19.16.150 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 19 - Business Regulations—Miscellaneous|Chapter 19.16 - Collection Agencies.|19.16.150 - Branch office certificate required.

RCW 19.16.150 Branch office certificate required.If a licensee maintains a branch office, he, she, or it shall not operate a collection agency business in such branch office until he, she, or it has secured a branch office certificate therefor from the director. A licensee, so long as his, her, or its license is in full force and effect and in good standing, shall be entitled to branch office certificates for any branch office operated by such licensee upon payment of the fee therefor provided in this chapter.Each licensee when applying for a branch office certificate shall pay a fee determined by the director as provided in RCW 43.24.086. An annual fee determined by the director as provided in RCW 43.24.086 for a branch office certificate shall be paid to the director on or before January first of each year. If the annual fee is not paid on or before January first, a penalty for late payment in an amount determined by the director as provided in RCW 43.24.086 shall be assessed. If the fee and the penalty are not paid by January thirty-first, it will be necessary for the licensee to apply for a new branch office certificate: PROVIDED, That no such new branch office certificate shall be issued unless and until all fees and penalties previously accrued under this section have been paid.[ 2011 c 336 § 510; 1985 c 7 § 82; 1975 1st ex.s. c 30 § 91; 1971 ex.s. c 253 § 6.]
WA Rev Code § 19.16.160 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 19 - Business Regulations—Miscellaneous|Chapter 19.16 - Collection Agencies.|19.16.160 - License and branch office certificate—Form—Contents—Display.

RCW 19.16.160 License and branch office certificate—Form—Contents—Display.Each license and branch office certificate, when issued, shall be in the form and size prescribed by the director and shall state in addition to any other matter required by the director:(1) The name of the licensee;(2) The name under which the licensee will do business;(3) The address at which the collection agency business is to be conducted; and(4) The number and expiration date of the license or branch office certificate.A licensee shall display his, her, or its license in a conspicuous place in his, her, or its principal place of business and, if he, she, or it conducts a branch office, the branch office certificate shall be conspicuously displayed in the branch office.Concurrently with or prior to engaging in any activity as a collection agency, as defined in this chapter, any person shall furnish to his, her, or its client or customer the number indicated on the collection agency license issued to him, her, or it pursuant to this section.[ 2011 c 336 § 511; 1973 1st ex.s. c 20 § 2; 1971 ex.s. c 253 § 7.]
WA Rev Code § 19.16.170 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 19 - Business Regulations—Miscellaneous|Chapter 19.16 - Collection Agencies.|19.16.170 - Procedure upon change of name or business location.

RCW 19.16.170 Procedure upon change of name or business location.Whenever a licensee shall contemplate a change of his, her, or its trade name or a change in the location of his, her, or its principal place of business or branch office, he, she, or it shall give written notice of such proposed change to the director. The director shall approve the proposed change and issue a new license or a branch office certificate, as the case may be, reflecting the change.[ 2011 c 336 § 512; 1971 ex.s. c 253 § 8.]
WA Rev Code § 19.16.180 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 19 - Business Regulations—Miscellaneous|Chapter 19.16 - Collection Agencies.|19.16.180 - Assignability of license or branch office certificate.

RCW 19.16.180 Assignability of license or branch office certificate.(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a license or branch office certificate granted under this chapter is not assignable or transferable.(2) Upon the death of an individual licensee, the director shall have the right to transfer the license and any branch office certificate of the decedent to the personal representative of his or her estate for the period of the unexpired term of the license and such additional time, not to exceed one year from the date of death of the licensee, as said personal representative may need in order to settle the deceased's estate or sell the collection agency.[ 2011 c 336 § 513; 1971 ex.s. c 253 § 9.]
WA Rev Code § 19.16.200 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 19 - Business Regulations—Miscellaneous|Chapter 19.16 - Collection Agencies.|19.16.200 - Action on bond, cash deposit or securities.

RCW 19.16.200 Action on bond, cash deposit or securities.In addition to all other legal remedies, an action may be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction upon the bond or cash deposit or security in lieu thereof, required by RCW 19.16.190, by any person to whom the licensee fails to account and pay as set forth in such bond or by any client or customer of the licensee who has been damaged by failure of the licensee to comply with all agreements entered into with such client or customer: PROVIDED, That the aggregate liability of the surety to all such clients or customers shall in no event exceed the sum of such bond.An action upon such bond or security shall be commenced by serving and filing of the complaint within one year from the date of the cancellation of the bond or, in the case of a cash deposit or other security deposited in lieu of the surety bond, within one year of the date of expiration or revocation of license: PROVIDED, That no action shall be maintained upon such bond or such cash deposit or other security for any claim which has been barred by any nonclaim statute or statute of limitations of this state. Two copies of the complaint shall be served by registered or certified mail upon the director at the time the suit is started. Such service shall constitute service on the surety. The director shall transmit one of said copies of the complaint served on him or her to the surety within forty-eight hours after it shall have been received.The director shall maintain a record, available for public inspection, of all suits commenced under this chapter upon surety bonds, or the cash or other security deposited in lieu thereof.In the event of a judgment being entered against the deposit or security referred to in RCW 19.16.190(2), the director shall, upon receipt of a certified copy of a final judgment, pay said judgment from the amount of the deposit or security.[ 2011 c 336 § 515; 1971 ex.s. c 253 § 11.]
WA Rev Code § 19.16.210 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 19 - Business Regulations—Miscellaneous|Chapter 19.16 - Collection Agencies.|19.16.210 - Accounting and payments by licensee to customer.

RCW 19.16.210 Accounting and payments by licensee to customer.A licensee shall within thirty days after the close of each calendar month account in writing to his, her, or its customers for all collections made during that calendar month and pay to his, her, or its customers the net proceeds due and payable of all collections made during that calendar month except that a licensee need not account to the customer for:(1) Court costs recovered which were previously advanced by licensee or his, her, or its attorney.(2) Attorneys' fees and interest or other charges incidental to the principal amount of the obligation legally and properly belonging to the licensee, if such charges are retained by the licensee after the principal amount of the obligation has been accounted for and remitted to the customer. When the net proceeds are less than ten dollars at the end of any calendar month, payments may be deferred for a period not to exceed three months.[ 2011 c 336 § 516; 1971 ex.s. c 253 § 12.]
WA Rev Code § 19.16.220 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 19 - Business Regulations—Miscellaneous|Chapter 19.16 - Collection Agencies.|19.16.220 - Accounting and payments by customer to licensee.

RCW 19.16.220 Accounting and payments by customer to licensee.Every customer of a licensee shall, within thirty days after the close of each calendar month, account and pay to his, her, or its collection agency all sums owing to the collection agency for payments received by the customer during that calendar month on claims in the hands of the collection agency.If a customer fails to pay a licensee any sums due under this section, the licensee shall, in addition to other remedies provided by law, have the right to offset any moneys due the licensee under this section against any moneys due customer under RCW 19.16.210.[ 2011 c 336 § 517; 1971 ex.s. c 253 § 13.]
WA Rev Code § 19.16.230 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 19 - Business Regulations—Miscellaneous|Chapter 19.16 - Collection Agencies.|19.16.230 - Licensee—Business office—Records to be kept.

RCW 19.16.230 Licensee—Business office—Records to be kept.(1) Every licensee required to keep and maintain records pursuant to this section, other than an out-of-state collection agency, shall establish and maintain a regular active business office in the state of Washington for the purpose of conducting his, her, or its collection agency business. Said office must be open to the public during reasonable stated business hours, and must be managed by a resident of the state of Washington.(2) Every licensee shall keep a record of all sums collected by him, her, or it and all disbursements made by him, her, or it. All such records shall be kept at the business office referred to in subsection (1) of this section, unless the licensee is an out-of-state collection agency, in which case the record shall be kept at the business office listed on the licensee's license.(3) Licensees shall maintain and preserve accounting records of collections and payments to customers for a period of four years from the date of the last entry thereon.[ 2011 c 336 § 518; 1994 c 195 § 6; 1987 c 85 § 1; 1973 1st ex.s. c 20 § 3; 1971 ex.s. c 253 § 14.]
WA Rev Code § 19.16.240 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 19 - Business Regulations—Miscellaneous|Chapter 19.16 - Collection Agencies.|19.16.240 - Licensee—Trust fund account—Exception.

RCW 19.16.240 Licensee—Trust fund account—Exception.Each licensee, other than an out-of-state collection agency, shall at all times maintain a separate bank account in this state in which all moneys collected by the licensee shall be deposited except that negotiable instruments received may be forwarded directly to a customer. Moneys received must be deposited within ten days after posting to the book of accounts. In no event shall moneys received be disposed of in any manner other than to deposit such moneys in said account or as provided in this section.The bank account shall bear some title sufficient to distinguish it from the licensee's personal or general checking account, such as "Customer's Trust Fund Account". There shall be sufficient funds in said trust account at all times to pay all moneys due or owing to all customers and no disbursements shall be made from such account except to customers or to remit moneys collected from debtors on assigned claims and due licensee's attorney or to refund over payments except that a licensee may periodically withdraw therefrom such moneys as may accrue to licensee.Any money in such trust account belonging to a licensee may be withdrawn for the purpose of transferring the same into the possession of licensee or into a personal or general account of licensee.[ 1994 c 195 § 7; 1971 ex.s. c 253 § 15.]
WA Rev Code § 19.16.245 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 19 - Business Regulations—Miscellaneous|Chapter 19.16 - Collection Agencies.|19.16.245 - Financial statement.

RCW 19.16.245 Financial statement.No licensee shall receive any money from any debtor as a result of the collection of any claim until he, she, or it shall have submitted a financial statement showing the assets and liabilities of the licensee truly reflecting that the licensee's net worth is not less than the sum of seven thousand five hundred dollars, in cash or its equivalent, of which not less than five thousand dollars shall be deposited in a bank, available for the use of the licensee's business. Any money so collected shall be subject to the provisions of RCW 19.16.430(2). The financial statement shall be sworn to by the licensee, if the licensee is an individual, or by a partner, officer, or manager in its behalf if the licensee is a partnership, corporation, or unincorporated association. The information contained in the financial statement shall be confidential and not a public record, but is admissible in evidence at any hearing held, or in any action instituted in a court of competent jurisdiction, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter: PROVIDED, That this section shall not apply to those persons holding a valid license issued pursuant to this chapter on July 16, 1973.[ 2011 c 336 § 519; 1973 1st ex.s. c 20 § 9.]
WA Rev Code § 19.16.270 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 19 - Business Regulations—Miscellaneous|Chapter 19.16 - Collection Agencies.|19.16.270 - Presumption of validity of assignment.

RCW 19.16.270 Presumption of validity of assignment.In any action brought by licensee to collect the claim of his, her, or its customer, the assignment of the claim to licensee by his, her, or its customer shall be conclusively presumed valid, if the assignment is filed in court with the complaint, unless objection is made thereto by the debtor in a written answer or in writing five days or more prior to trial.[ 2011 c 336 § 522; 1971 ex.s. c 253 § 18.]
WA Rev Code § 19.16.280 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 19 - Business Regulations—Miscellaneous|Chapter 19.16 - Collection Agencies.|19.16.280 - Board created—Composition of board—Qualification of members.

RCW 19.16.280 Board created—Composition of board—Qualification of members.There is hereby created a board to be known and designated as the "Washington state collection agency board." The board shall consist of five members, one of whom shall be the director and the other four shall be appointed by the governor. The director may delegate his or her duties as a board member to a designee from his or her department. The director or his or her designee shall be the executive officer of the board and its chair.At least two but no more than two members of the board shall be licensees hereunder. Each of the licensee members of the board shall be actively engaged in the collection agency business at the time of his or her appointment and must continue to be so engaged and continue to be licensed under this chapter during the term of his or her appointment or he or she will be deemed to have resigned his or her position: PROVIDED, That no individual may be a licensee member of the board unless he or she has been actively engaged as either an owner or executive employee or a combination of both of a collection agency business in this state for a period of not less than five years immediately prior to his or her appointment.No board member shall be employed by or have any interest in, directly or indirectly, as owner, partner, officer, director, agent, stockholder, or attorney, any collection agency in which any other board member is employed by or has such an interest.No member of the board other than the director or his or her designee shall hold any other elective or appointive state or federal office.[ 2011 c 336 § 523; 1971 ex.s. c 253 § 19.]
WA Rev Code § 19.16.290 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 19 - Business Regulations—Miscellaneous|Chapter 19.16 - Collection Agencies.|19.16.290 - Board—Initial members—Terms—Oath—Removal.

RCW 19.16.290 Board—Initial members—Terms—Oath—Removal.The initial members of the board shall be named by the governor within thirty days after January 1, 1972. At the first meeting of the board, the members appointed by the governor shall determine by lot the period of time from January 1, 1972, that each of them shall serve, one for one year; one for two years; one for three years; and one for four years. In the event of a vacancy on the board, the governor shall appoint a successor for the unexpired term.Each member appointed by the governor shall qualify by taking the usual oath of a state officer, which shall be filed with the secretary of state, and each member shall hold office for the term of his or her appointment and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified.Any member of the board other than the director or his or her designee may be removed by the governor for neglect of duty, misconduct, malfeasance, or misfeasance in office, after being given a written statement of the charges against him or her and sufficient opportunity to be heard thereon.[ 2011 c 336 § 524; 1971 ex.s. c 253 § 20.]
WA Rev Code § 19.16.300 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 19 - Business Regulations—Miscellaneous|Chapter 19.16 - Collection Agencies.|19.16.300 - Board meetings—Quorum—Effect of vacancy.

RCW 19.16.300 Board meetings—Quorum—Effect of vacancy.The board shall meet as soon as practicable after the governor has appointed the initial members of the board. The board shall meet at least once a year and at such other times as may be necessary for the transaction of its business.The time and place of the initial meeting of the board and the annual meetings shall be at a time and place fixed by the director. Other meetings of the board shall be held upon written request of the director at a time and place designated by him or her, or upon the written request of any two members of the board at a time and place designated by them.A majority of the board shall constitute a quorum.A vacancy in the board membership shall not impair the right of the remaining members of the board to exercise any power or to perform any duty of the board, so long as the power is exercised or the duty performed by a quorum of the board.[ 2011 c 336 § 525; 1971 ex.s. c 253 § 21.]
WA Rev Code § 19.16.310 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 19 - Business Regulations—Miscellaneous|Chapter 19.16 - Collection Agencies.|19.16.310 - Board—Compensation—Reimbursement of travel expenses.

RCW 19.16.310 Board—Compensation—Reimbursement of travel expenses.Each member of the board appointed by the governor shall be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.240 and in addition thereto shall be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred while on official business of the board and in attending meetings thereof, in accordance with the provisions of RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.[ 1984 c 287 § 54; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 34 § 58; 1971 ex.s. c 253 § 22.]NOTES:Legislative findings—Severability—Effective date—1984 c 287: See notes following RCW 43.03.220.Effective date—Severability—1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 34: See notes following RCW 2.08.115.
WA Rev Code § 19.16.320 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 19 - Business Regulations—Miscellaneous|Chapter 19.16 - Collection Agencies.|19.16.320 - Board—Territorial scope of operations.

RCW 19.16.320 Board—Territorial scope of operations.The board may meet, function and exercise its powers and perform its duties at any place within the state.[ 1971 ex.s. c 253 § 23.]
WA Rev Code § 19.16.330 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 19 - Business Regulations—Miscellaneous|Chapter 19.16 - Collection Agencies.|19.16.330 - Board—Immunity from suit.

RCW 19.16.330 Board—Immunity from suit.Members of the board shall be immune from suit in any civil action based upon an official act performed in good faith as members of such board.[ 1971 ex.s. c 253 § 24.]
WA Rev Code § 19.16.340 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 19 - Business Regulations—Miscellaneous|Chapter 19.16 - Collection Agencies.|19.16.340 - Board—Records.

RCW 19.16.340 Board—Records.All records of the board shall be kept in the office of the director. Copies of all records and papers of the board, certified to be true copies by the director, shall be received in evidence in all cases with like effect as the originals. All actions by the board which require publication, or any writing shall be over the signature of the director or his or her designee.[ 2011 c 336 § 526; 1971 ex.s. c 253 § 25.]