PRINTER'S NO. 4021
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
1073
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY PETRI, CALTAGIRONE, CORBIN, DIAMOND, PHILLIPS-
HILL, SAYLOR AND WATSON, OCTOBER 17, 2016
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, OCTOBER 17, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
conduct a comprehensive review of the scope of records
maintained and fees collected by the county recorder of deeds
offices in this Commonwealth and to make recommendations.
WHEREAS, Under the Constitution of Pennsylvania, each of the
67 counties in this Commonwealth elects a recorder of deeds who
is responsible for the preservation of records relating to real
property in the county, for recording oaths and commissions of
each county officer, notary public and district justice and for
collecting both State and local taxes on real estate transfers;
and
WHEREAS, The fees involved in recording a document are set in
State statute and include levies for specially designated State
and local funds that must be paid to the State Treasurer or the
county, depending on who is designated to receive the funds; and
WHEREAS, State law also permits counties to choose to
implement a uniform parcel identifier (UPI) system and to assess
additional fees for the certification of each UPI number
affected by the recording; therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a
comprehensive review of Federal and State laws related to
document recording and county recorder of deeds operations and
prepare a report of its findings, which shall include the
following:
(1) The types of records maintained by county recorder
of deeds offices and any other responsibilities assigned to
the office by statute.
(2) Resources needed to support the maintenance of the
records and the process for verification of the accuracy of
records, both in counties with a UPI system and those without
a UPI system.
(3) A full listing of the statutory fee structure,
including fees returned to the county and to this
Commonwealth and any funds to which those fees are specially
designated.
(4) A cost-effectiveness analysis comparing the varying
methods of recording utilized within this Commonwealth.
(5) A summary of laws and fee structures for recording
of similar documents in other states, which shall include an
examination of flat fee recording in the State of Michigan.
(6) Recommendations regarding updates to the current
structure of applicable fees as relates to the recording of
documents to assure that each county recorder of deeds is
able to uphold its responsibility for the preservation of
records relating to real property in the county as well as
recommendations for consistent application of those fees
across this Commonwealth so that all residents are treated
fairly and uniformly.
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(7) Recommendations regarding updates to the current
structure of fees as relates to the recording of documents
that are returned to this Commonwealth or otherwise
designated for a special purpose;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
consult with the County Commissioners Association of
Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Recorder of Deeds Association,
the Pennsylvania Land Title Association, the Property Records
Industry Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Association in the
preparation of this report; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
submit a report of its findings to the House of Representatives
within one year of the adoption of this resolution.
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