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MaineLD 358132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Increase Fees Paid to Registers of Deeds

Sponsored By: Richard A. Bennett (Independent)

Became Law

COUNTIESCOUNTIES - REGISTERS OF DEEDS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Higher fees to record deeds and plans

Beginning January 1, 2026, recording costs rise at county registries. When no other fee applies, recording an instrument costs $35 per instrument ($25 for State or municipal requests). A $5 per‑document surcharge applies in addition to other fees, except for State agencies and municipalities. Recording a plan costs $45 per plan. Paper copies of plans cost $10 per page. The law also repeals two older fee subsections.

New fees for online deed images

Beginning January 1, 2026, you get the first 400 electronic images or abstracts free each calendar year. After 400, non‑municipal users pay $0.50 per electronic image or abstract. Municipalities do not pay per‑image fees for electronic images. Printed images cost $1 each, plus any postage. For bulk downloads of 1,000 or more consecutive images, if the county is equipped and signs a written agreement, the price is $0.25 per image.

Deed transfer copies sent to assessors

Beginning January 1, 2026, registers of deeds must send a copy of each recorded transfer to the municipal assessor. The copy must be in the assessor’s requested format and sent within 30 days of recording. Registers may charge a reasonable fee for paper copies sent to assessors. This helps towns keep property tax records current.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Richard A. Bennett

    Independent • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Donna Bailey

    Democratic • Senate

  • James D. Libby

    Republican • Senate

  • Joseph Martin

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 328

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/3/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/2/2025House

  4. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-192).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/2/2025House

  5. Report READ and ACCEPTED.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-192) READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-192).Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.

    6/2/2025Senate

  6. CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025Senate

  7. Received by the Secretary of the Senate on January 30, 2025 and REFERRED to the Committee on STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2

    1/30/2025Senate

Bill Text

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