AL SB292

Creates the Alabama Property Protection Act of 2026, establishing best practices for title agents, attorneys, realtors, and notaries public to verify property owner identity before listing or closing real estate transactions, with a 5-year recordkeeping requirement

Establishes the Alabama Title Fraud Recovery Fund administered by the Alabama Securities Commission to compensate victims of title fraud, funded by civil penalties up to $1,000,000 per fraudulent transaction and forfeited proceeds from fraudulent conveyances

Upgrades fraudulent sale or lease of residential real property from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class D felony, and creates a new crime of aggravated fraudulent sale (Class C felony) when the perpetrator received funds or the victim is 70 years or older

Creates an expedited quiet title process requiring courts to hold preliminary hearings within 30 days for fraud victims, with mandatory recovery of attorney fees when fraud is proven

Requires online real estate platforms to verify ownership through government-issued ID and official property records before publishing listings from unrepresented sellers, and mandates removal of interior photos within 30 days of sale or withdrawal