Bill > SB255

This bill requires each county in California to establish a recorder notification program by January 1, 2027. Under this program, county recorders must send a notification by mail within 30 days of recording a deed, quitclaim deed, mortgage, or deed of trust to the parties who executed the document. The notification will be sent to the address used for mailing tax bills. In addition to mailed notices, county recorders may also establish an optional electronic notification system. The bill allows county recorders to require that these documents include the assessor's identification number for the property. Counties can charge a fee to cover the reasonable regulatory costs of implementing the program, but this fee cannot be charged until at least 120 days after its establishment and public notification. The bill exempts documents where a government entity (federal, state, county, city, or subdivision) is the grantee. There are protections for county recorders, including no liability if a notice is undeliverable or not sent. Any contracts for processing or mailing notifications must be awarded through a competitive bidding process. The bill also specifies that if the Commission on State Mandates determines the program creates state-mandated costs, the state will reimburse local agencies accordingly.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB255