The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5432, aims to amend Section 52-257 of the general statutes concerning the fees awarded to parties in civil actions that affect the title to real property. The bill introduces new provisions that allow the prevailing party to receive the actual expenses incurred for examining land records related to the title in question, with no cap on the amount, replacing the previous limit of $225. Additionally, it specifies that the court may determine a reasonable fee for expert services related to the value of the land when disputed.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the fee structure for civil actions based on the amount in demand, detailing indemnity sums for various proceedings, including trials and appeals. For actions involving less than $15,000, the indemnity amounts are set at $10 for pre-trial proceedings and $15 for trials. The legislation also maintains the court's discretion in taxing costs for actions seeking equitable relief and allows for the recovery of various expenses related to court proceedings, such as witness fees, deposition costs, and interpreter services. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 52-257