HB3036 Summary

• Creates a new "predictable fee schedule" option for county recorders that replaces variable fees based on document attributes (page count, number of parcels, etc.) with flat fees per document classification, effective by January 1, 2019.

• Establishes five standard document classifications with minimum flat fees of $21 each: deeds, leases/lease amendments, mortgages, easements, and miscellaneous documents, with the $21 including a $12 county fee plus $9 Rental Housing Support Program surcharge.

• Defines "nonstandard documents" (including Uniform Commercial Code filings, documents creating tax parcel divisions, and documents referencing more than 5 parcels or recorded documents) that remain subject to traditional variable fee structures under existing law.

• Requires county boards to conduct cost studies justifying any flat fees exceeding $21 and provide public notice of proposed fee schedules at least 2-4 weeks before adoption, with new schedules taking effect 60 days after approval.

• Allows future fee increases only through cost studies demonstrating that current fees are insufficient to cover recording services, and makes predictable fee schedules inclusive of all county and state-imposed fees (automation, GIS, document storage fees).