Plain English Breakdown
The official source states no reimbursement is required for a 'specified reason' but does not detail what that reason is.
AB-2224: Changes to County Recorder Fees and Electronic Records
This law raises the maximum fees county recorders can charge for recording documents, removes extra charges for formatting errors like spacing or page size issues, requires electronic delivery systems for counties collecting these fees, and expands which digital files counties must accept.
What This Bill Does
- Sets a new fee of $15 for the first page and $4 for each additional page to be recorded.
- Removes current extra fees charged when documents have incorrect spacing or nonconforming page dimensions.
- Requires county recorders who collect these prescribed fees to implement an electronic recording delivery system.
- Allows counties to accept digital versions of more types of legal documents, removing the previous limit that only allowed specific loan-related papers like deeds of trust assignments.
- Changes how the fee is calculated for government releases of liens by using the date the original lien was recorded without a charge instead of the year the release is recorded.
Who It Names or Affects
- County recorders in California
- People and businesses who pay to have legal documents, papers, or notices recorded with county offices
Terms To Know
- Recording fee
- The charge a person pays when they submit a document for the official public record.
- Electronic recording delivery system
- A digital method that allows people to send documents and receive copies back without using paper mail, as authorized by county approval and Attorney General certification.
Limits and Unknowns
- The bill states no state reimbursement is required for the new duties but does not explain the specific reason in this text.
- Fees cannot exceed the reasonable costs of running the county recorder's office, though exact cost limits are not listed.