HB520 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Randy Davis

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Jamie IsonChad Fincher

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Mobile Co., judge of probate, recording fee, increased, storing of records on computers further provided for, Act 98-646, 1998 Reg. Sess., am'd.

Summary

HB520 adds a new Mobile County special recording fee (starting at $2, up to $5) and authorizes digital archiving of court records.

What This Bill Does

It lets the Mobile County judge of probate impose a special recording fee on each instrument recorded or filed in the probate court, starting at $2 and potentially rising to $5. The fee is in addition to existing charges and must be deposited in a county depository designated by the county governing body. It also allows the judge to archive court records using optical disks or other computerized storage, potentially replacing microfilm with digital images; archived records become official and can be certified and sold, with copy and certification fees going to the county general fund. Any increase above $2 would expire ten years after the act's effective date, and the act becomes effective immediately after governor's approval.

Who It Affects

• Mobile County judge of probate – gains authority to impose and collect the new special recording fee and manage archival methods and funds.
• People and businesses filing or recording documents in Mobile County probate court – must pay the new special recording fee per instrument.
• County government and residents – the collected fees are deposited to the county general fund, and funds from copies/certifications also go there.
• Public seeking copies or certified records – records may be kept in digital form and sold as official copies.

Key Provisions

• Section 1: Establishes a special recording fee on each instrument recorded or filed in the Mobile County judge of probate; the fee starts at $2 and may go up to $5; the fee is in addition to other fees and must be deposited in a county depository designated by the county governing body.
• Section 3(a): Allows the judge of probate to archive records using optical disks or other computerized storage methods; may discontinue microfilm in favor of digital images; archived records become official and may be certified and sold; copy/certification fees go to the county general fund.
• Section 3(b): Any increase in the special recording fee above $2 per instrument expires ten years after the act's effective date.
• Effective Date: The act becomes effective immediately following its passage and governor's 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

Mobile County