House Bill No. 5432 proposes amendments to 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 removes the existing cap of $225 on the costs associated with examining land records related to such civil actions, allowing the court to award the actual total cost incurred for the title search. This change aims to provide more flexibility and ensure that parties can recover the full expenses related to title examinations.

In addition to the removal of the cap, the bill outlines various fees that parties may receive in civil actions, including indemnity sums for proceedings before trial and trial fees, as well as allowances for witness fees, deposition costs, and other related expenses. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2026, and is expected to have no fiscal impact on the state or municipalities, as it primarily affects private parties involved in civil actions.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 52-257
JUD Joint Favorable: 52-257
File No. 535: 52-257