Changes a user fee collected by recorders of deeds for the Missouri housing trust fund from three dollars to nine dollars

2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Black

Raising the recording fee from $3 to $9 would boost funds for Missouri's Housing Trust Fund to support affordable housing initiatives.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)

#countyofficials #fees #politicalsubdivisions

Bill Summary: HB 2599 (2026) – Missouri

Purpose and Intent

HB 2599 proposes to increase a user fee collected by county recorders of deeds that funds the Missouri Housing Trust Fund. Specifically, the bill would raise the fee from three dollars ($3) to nine dollars ($9). The primary aim is to augment funding for the Missouri Housing Trust Fund, which supports affordable housing initiatives, housing development, and related programs within the state.

Key Provisions and Changes

Fee Adjustment: The current recording fee of $3 assessed by recorders of deeds would be increased to $9.

Source of Funds: The $9 fee revenue would continue to be directed to the Missouri Housing Trust Fund, replacing the previous $3 allocation amount.

Administration and Oversight: The bill does not appear to alter the governance structure of the Missouri Housing Trust Fund or the existing oversight framework, but it would increase the inflow of funds to that program.

Effective Date: The summary provided does not specify an immediate effective date; if enacted, the bill would typically include an implementation timeline or phased-in approach, which would be detailed in the final text.

Who Would Be Affected

Recording Offices: County recorders of deeds would collect the higher fee at the time of recording certain documents.

Property Owners and Real Estate Stakeholders: Individuals and entities involved in property transactions would face higher recording costs.

Missouri Housing Trust Fund: The fund would receive increased financial resources, potentially expanding its capacity to fund affordable housing projects and related initiatives.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Legislative Path:

Prefiled in December 2025.
Read First Time in the House on January 7, 2026.
Read Second Time in the House on January 8, 2026.
Referred to the Emerging Issues (H) committee on May 15, 2026.

Next Steps: If reported out of committee, the bill would progress through further readings and potential floor votes in the Missouri House of Representatives, and subsequently through the Senate with similar consideration.

Sponsors: Primary sponsor not listed in the provided text; co-sponsor is John Black.

Potential Impact and Considerations

Funding Impact: The nine-dollar fee could significantly increase annual contributions to the Missouri Housing Trust Fund, potentially enabling larger or more numerous affordable housing programs, grants, or loan programs.

Cost-Burden Considerations: Higher recording fees can impact the cost of real estate transactions; stakeholders may seek to evaluate the balance between funding needs for housing initiatives and the burden on property transactions.

Program Accountability: Any increase in funds typically prompts calls for clear reporting on fund utilization, project outcomes, and measurable impacts on housing affordability.

Overall Assessment

HB 2599 is a targeted fiscal measure designed to bolster funding for Missouri’s Housing Trust Fund by tripling the fee collected by recorders of deeds from $3 to $9. If enacted, it would redirect more resources into affordable housing programs, with attention to implementation timing and the potential effects on real estate transaction costs.