Bill
HB 1367
House Bill 1367 streamlines access to public records for title insurance agents, enhancing efficiency and potentially benefiting property owners in real estate transactions.
# Summary of House Bill 1367: Relating to Water Resources
**Bill Number:** HB 1367
**Introduced:** February 03, 2025
**Status:** Reported from EEP/WAL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 665) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
**Classification:** Bill
**Subject:** Appropriation ($), BWS, GO Bonds, Monitoring Wells, Water Resources
## Purpose and Intent
House Bill 1367 aims to amend the Arkansas Title Insurance Act to enhance the regulation of access to public records by title agents and title companies. The bill seeks to streamline the process by which these entities can access records affecting real property, thereby facilitating more efficient title insurance operations.
## Key Provisions
The bill includes several significant amendments to the existing law:
1. **Access to Electronic Records:**
- Government entities (city, county, or state) that maintain records in electronic format must provide these records to title insurance agents and agencies in a timely manner.
- The records must be provided without any watermarks or notations that do not appear on the original document.
2. **Fee Structure:**
- A reasonable fee not exceeding **$150 per month** may be charged for access to these records.
3. **Mechanical Reproduction:**
- If records are not maintained electronically, government entities are required to provide mechanical reproductions of the records to title insurance agents and agencies.
## Who Would Be Affected
- **Title Insurance Agents and Agencies:** These entities will benefit from improved access to public records, which is essential for their operations.
- **Government Entities:** Local and state governments will need to comply with the new requirements for record maintenance and access.
- **Property Owners:** The changes may indirectly benefit property owners by facilitating smoother transactions in real estate.
## Procedural Timeline
- **February 03, 2025:** Bill introduced and passed the first reading.
- **February 11, 2025:** Recommended for passage with amendments by the EEP and WAL committees.
- **March 06, 2025:** Amendments adopted, and the bill was reported correctly engrossed.
- **March 17, 2025:** Passed third reading in both the House and Senate.
- **March 20, 2025:** Notification that HB 1367 is now Act 346.
## Related Legislation
- **SB 1634:** A companion bill that may address similar issues or provide additional context to the provisions of HB 1367.
This summary provides an overview of House Bill 1367, highlighting its purpose, key provisions, and the potential impact on various stakeholders. The bill represents a significant step towards modernizing the access to public records in the context of title insurance in Arkansas.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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