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Bill Summary · SB 1547

Legislative bill overview

SB 1547 modifies the fee structure that Texas county clerks can charge for accessing and copying property records. The bill became effective immediately upon the Governor's signature on June 20, 2025, and has already passed both chambers of the legislature with bipartisan support from sponsors Angelia Orr and Judith Zaffirini.

Why is this important

Property record fees directly affect the cost of real estate transactions, title searches, and public access to government documents. Changes to these fees impact homebuyers, real estate professionals, title companies, and anyone conducting property research, potentially affecting housing affordability and business operations statewide.

Potential points of contention

  • Fee increase vs. access: The bill may either raise or lower clerk fees; clarification needed on whether increased revenues help county operations or burden property transaction costs
  • Equity concerns: Changes could disproportionately affect first-time homebuyers, lower-income Texans, or rural counties with different fee structures and administrative capacity
  • Digital access standardization: Unclear whether the bill addresses online vs. in-person fee parity or modernizes outdated fee schedules across Texas's 254 counties

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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