HB125 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Low Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Greg Wren
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Montgomery Co., judge of probate, recording fee, use for improvement of record system, distrib. to Judge of Probate Fund, Act 591, 1965 Reg. Sess. repealed
Summary: HB125 would require Montgomery County to install and maintain an improved recording system in the probate office and levy a $5 special recording fee to fund it, repealing a 1965 act.
What This Bill Does
The bill authorizes the Montgomery County judge of probate to install and maintain an enhanced system for recording, archiving, and retrieving instruments affecting property titles (and other documents at the judge’s discretion). It creates a $5 special recording fee collected with each instrument or document filed, with funds going to a Judge of Probate Fund used for the system and related costs; initial installation is funded by these fees, with possible county funds for ongoing costs. The new system becomes the official record for recording laws, and Act 591 is repealed.

Who It Affects
Property owners and people who file real or personal property instruments in Montgomery County, who will be subject to the new recording system and the $5 fee for each filing.
The Montgomery County Judge of Probate and Probate Office staff, who will install, maintain, and oversee the system and the used funds.
Public users of property records, who will access official, permanent records produced by the new system.

Key Provisions
Section 1: Applies only to Montgomery County and aims to facilitate public record use by installing an improved recording, archiving, and retrieving system for property-related documents.
Section 3: The judge of probate may install or enhance the system, with installation performed by records management professionals and supervision by a records/title expert.
Section 4: After installation, documents stored electronically or on paper will constitute the official record for recording purposes.
Section 7: A $5 special recording fee is added to the filing of each instrument/document; funds go to a Judge of Probate Fund to pay for the system; funds may not be used for political purposes.
Section 9–10: Repeals Act 591; transfers existing funds to the new special fund; sets effective date.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Montgomery County