HB125 Summary

• Applies only to Montgomery County and authorizes the judge of probate to install and maintain an improved system for recording, archiving, and retrieving property documents and other instruments in the probate office.

• Imposes a special recording and filing fee of $5 on each real property instrument, personal property instrument, and Uniform Commercial Code document filed in the probate office, effective immediately upon enactment.

• All fees collected must be deposited into a special "Judge of Probate Fund" and used solely at the judge of probate's discretion for the improved recording system, equipment, maintenance, and services to improve the probate office.

• Requires the judge of probate to report annually to the Montgomery County Legislative Delegation on fund usage; permits county to use its own funds for system costs after initial installation; fees are subject to audit by Examiners of Public Accounts with audit costs paid from collected fees.

• Repeals Act 591 of the 1965 Regular Session and transfers any existing funds from the prior system to the new Judge of Probate Fund; becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval.