Bill No. 978, introduced by Senator Howard and Representative Pfeiffer, amends Section 298 of the Oklahoma Statutes regarding the filing of recordable instruments by county clerks. The bill modifies the margin requirements for documents submitted for recording, specifying that the top margin of the first page must be at least two inches, while all other margins must be at least one inch. Additionally, it clarifies that documents must be original or certified copies, clearly legible, and provide necessary information for indexing. If an instrument contains more than twenty-five legal descriptions, an additional filing fee of one dollar per extra description is required. The bill also allows county clerks to accept nonconforming documents under certain conditions, provided the additional fee is paid.

Furthermore, the bill states that digitized images or electronic copies of original documents can satisfy the requirement for recordation if submitted electronically in accordance with the Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act. It also ensures that all documents accepted for filing, including those filed before February 18, 1997, comply with the new requirements and impart constructive notice to third parties unless a claim is filed within six months. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and includes an emergency clause for immediate implementation upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 19-298
Floor (Senate): 19-298
Engrossed: 19-298