HB507 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Low Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Thomas JacksonRepresentative
Democrat
Co-Sponsor: Harry Shiver
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Monroe Co., judge of probate, recording system established, additional recording fees and transaction fees, distrib. to Judge of Probate Fund
Summary: HB507 creates an improved Monroe County recording system in the judge of probate office and funds it with new recording and transaction fees.
What This Bill Does
It establishes an improved system to record, archive, and retrieve documents affecting title to property and other records in Monroe County. It imposes a $5 special recording fee for each instrument filed and a $3 special transaction fee on certain transactions, with the funds earmarked for the Judge of Probate's dedicated accounts to support the system and related services. The initial installation costs are paid from the special recording fees, and the county may use its own funds for ongoing costs. After installation, recorded instruments become official records, stored in computer-generated files, on optical disks, or on paper as determined by the judge.

Who It Affects
Property owners, lenders, title companies, and other filers of real or personal property instruments in Monroe County, who would pay the new $5 recording fee (and may pay the $3 transaction fee).
Monroe County Judge of Probate and office staff, who will collect the new fees and manage the Judge of Probate Fund and Judge of Probate Fee Account to support the improved recording system.

Key Provisions
Section 1: The act applies only in Monroe County and aims to install and maintain an improved system for recording, archiving, and retrieving instruments and records in the judge of probate office.
Section 2: Defines key terms including general property instrument, improved recording system, personal property instrument, and real property instrument.
Section 3: The judge of probate may install and maintain the system, with initial installation steps, outside firm involvement, and supervision by an experienced records or title professional.
Section 4: After installation, instruments shall be official records and may be stored on computer-generated files, optical disks, or paper as the judge determines.
Section 6: Initial installation costs are paid entirely from the special recording fees; the county may use its funds for ongoing costs after installation.
Section 7: A $5 special recording fee is collected for each instrument or document filed and deposited into the Judge of Probate Fund for system improvements and related costs.
Section 8: A $3 special transaction fee is collected on eligible transactions, deposited into the Judge of Probate Fee Account, and in addition to existing fees.
Section 9: The judge of probate has sole discretion over the fees; the Judge of Probate Fund is audited and expenditures are publicly accessible.
Section 10: Repeals any conflicting laws.
Section 11: The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and approval.

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