An Act to Increase Fees Paid to Registers of Deeds
Sponsored By: Richard A. Bennett (Independent)
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Faster sale records to town assessors
Beginning January 1, 2026, registers of deeds must send a copy of each recorded property transfer to the town assessor within 30 days. The copy must be in the format the assessor asks for. Registers may charge a reasonable fee for paper copies. This replaces the old rule to photocopy certain deeds.
Higher recording fees for property filings
Beginning January 1, 2026, the registry charges flat fees to record documents. It is $25 per instrument when the State or a municipality requests recording, and $35 for everyone else. Plans cost $45 to record, index, and preserve. A $5 surcharge per recorded document applies on top of other fees. State agencies (including quasi‑independent entities) and municipalities do not pay the $5 surcharge.
Free 400 registry images, new fees
Beginning January 1, 2026, you get the first 400 electronic images from a registry website free each calendar year. After 400, electronic images cost $0.50 each. Printed images from the website cost $1 each, plus any county postage. Municipalities are not charged for electronic images under this rule. Paper copies of plans cost $10 per page. Bulk downloads of 1,000 or more consecutive images cost $0.25 per image, but only if the registry is equipped and signs a written agreement.
Old registry fee rules repealed
Beginning January 1, 2026, two older fee subsections in the registry of deeds laws are repealed. This cleans up prior rules; any real effect depends on what those subsections used to require.
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
ACTPUB Chapter 328
6/17/2025PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
6/3/2025SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
6/2/2025HouseCONSENT 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.
6/2/2025HouseReport 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.
6/2/2025SenateCARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.
3/21/2025SenateReceived 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
Amendment C-A (S-192), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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