The bill amends various sections of the Iowa Code to modernize the management of county land records, particularly through the establishment of an electronic services system. It introduces new definitions such as "additional parcel identifier," "electronic services system," and "parcel identification number," while replacing the term "county land record information system" with "electronic services system." The bill also sets a new fee structure for recording documents, establishing a flat fee of $10 per page with a maximum of $500 for documents exceeding 50 pages. Additionally, it creates two new funds—the recorders technology advancement fund and the recorders electronic services system fund—supported by the fees collected from document recordings, aimed at improving technology and preserving documents.

Furthermore, the bill abolishes existing funds, including the county recorders records management funds and the county recorders electronic transaction funds, transferring any remaining balances to the newly established funds. It outlines specific requirements for document formatting and legibility, including text size and margin specifications, and introduces new standards for surveys submitted by licensed professional land surveyors. The bill also emphasizes the importance of proper indexing and legibility of recorded documents, allowing county recorders to decline nonconforming documents without additional fees. These changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2026, with the overall goal of enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of county recorders' offices.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 331.601A, 331.604, 331.605, 331.606, 801.4, 331.606A, 331.606B, 355.6A, 355.12, 331.612