2024 -- H 7410

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LC003597

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RECORDING OF INSTRUMENTS

     Introduced By: Representatives Ackerman, Kennedy, Edwards, Hull, Newberry, Voas,
Potter, McNamara, and Craven

     Date Introduced: January 31, 2024

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 34-13 of the General Laws entitled "Recording of Instruments" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     34-13-9.1. Public access to recorded instruments.

     (a) Recording officers shall allow public access to all recorded instruments relating to real

estate as described in § 34-13-1 at no cost to the public, including, but not limited to, subscription

or access fees of any type.

     (b) Fees for the recording and copying of records shall be limited to the amounts set forth

in §§ 34-13-7 and 34-13-9.

     (c) Any contract, agreement, license or authorization granted, executed, entered or renewed

on or after the effective date of this section between a municipality and a vendor which allows or

provides online or electronic public access or copies of instruments recorded by a municipality

shall expressly limit any fee charged to the public by a vendor or non-municipal provider of the

access or copies to an amount in total not to exceed the amounts set forth in §§ 34-13-7 and 34-13-

9.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC003597

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RECORDING OF INSTRUMENTS

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     This act would prohibit cities and towns from charging subscription or access fees for

public access to recorded real estate instruments and limit the recording and copying fees of those

instruments to the amounts already provided within the chapter. The act would also restrict third-

party providers of online or electronic public access from charging fees in excess of the amounts

provided in this chapter.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC003597

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