The bill amends Section 298 of Title 19 of the Oklahoma Statutes, which pertains to the duties of county clerks regarding the recording of deeds and other instruments. Key provisions include a requirement for county clerks to notify or attempt to notify previous deed holders upon the filing of a new deed, with the option to use third-party vendors for effective communication. A notification fee of one dollar may be charged to the filer for each deed filed. Additionally, the bill introduces a mechanism for deed holders to place a trigger within their deed, prompting the county clerk to contact them regarding any subsequent filings. If a deed holder contests the validity of a proposed filing, the county clerk must halt the process and consult the local district attorney for further investigation.

The bill also clarifies that county clerks will not be held liable for damages when they follow the notification processes outlined in the new provisions. The effective date for these changes is set for November 1, 2025. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the transparency and security of property transactions by ensuring that previous deed holders are informed of new filings and have a means to contest potentially fraudulent transactions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 19-298