HB497 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Elaine Beech
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Washington Co., judge of probate, add'l fee on deed or mortgage tax documents, collected and distributed into the Washington Co. Probate Judge Fund for the judge of probate, disposition of fees, Act 95-220, 1995 Reg. Sess., am'd.
Summary: HB497 adds an extra recording fee on documents submitted for recording in the Washington County judge of probate office and creates a dedicated fund to pay for the probate office’s operations and technology.
What This Bill Does
It levies an additional recording fee on documents recorded in the Washington County Probate Court that are subject to deed or mortgage tax. The money, plus any interest, goes into the Washington County Probate Judge Fund in the county treasury on a monthly basis. The funds may be used only by the judge of probate for operating the office, including digitizing records, acquiring or updating technology, and for recordkeeping. The act becomes effective immediately after the governor signs it into law.

Who It Affects
Property owners, lenders, and other filers who submit documents for recording in Washington County and are subject to deed or mortgage tax, who would pay the additional recording fee.
The Washington County Probate Judge's Office, which would receive funds and use them for operations and modernization of records and technology.

Key Provisions
Creates the Washington County Probate Judge Fund in the county treasury.
Funds from the additional recording fee (and any interest) are deposited into the Fund on a monthly basis.
Funds may be used only by the judge of probate for the office's operation, including digitization of records, technology updates, and recordkeeping.
Amends Section 2 of Act 95-220 of the 1995 Regular Session.
Effective immediately following passage and the 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: Washington County