HB 1588

Abstract

Amends the Counties Code. Establishes a $1 per document recording fee for certain filers for any document that affects an interest in real property other than documents which solely affect or relate to an easement for water, sewer, electricity, gas, telephone, or other public service. Provides that $0.50 of the $1 fee shall be deposited into the Recorder's Automation Fund and may not be appropriated or expended for any other purpose. Provides that the additional amounts available to the recorder for expenditure from the Recorder's Automation Fund shall not offset or reduce any other county appropriations or funding for the office of the recorder. Establishes a similar $1 per document recording fee in counties exceeding 1,000,000 for certain filers for any document that affects an interest in real property other than documents which solely affect or relate to an easement for water, sewer, electricity, gas, telephone, or other public service. Provides that $0.50 of the $1 fee shall be deposited into the County Recorder Document Storage System Fund. Reduces the Rental Housing Support Program State surcharge for the recordation of any real estate-related document from $10 to $9. Amends the Rental Housing Support Program Act. Adds a legislative finding regarding the negative effects of unaffordable rental rates and persons who benefit from the Rental Housing Support Program including all individuals who record real estate related documents by helping to stabilize real estate values, rental property owners by subsidizing the portion of rent that many of their tenants are unable to pay, individuals who own real estate by providing an option for affordable rental housing should they one day face foreclosure, and tenants who participate in the program by providing them with rental assistance. Effective immediately.