Senate Bill 1707, also known as House Bill 1762, aims to address the rising issue of fraudulent and poorly drawn deeds in Tennessee, which have led to economic losses for property owners. The bill introduces new requirements for the preparation and filing of deeds of conveyance for real property. Specifically, it mandates that such deeds must be prepared by a licensed attorney, a licensed title insurance agent, the property owner, or an authorized representative of the owner. Additionally, the bill requires a sworn declaration or notarized affidavit confirming the preparer's qualifications, which must be included with the deed.

The bill also stipulates that county registers are prohibited from registering any deed that does not meet these preparation requirements. Exceptions are made for deeds filed on behalf of government entities and certain financial institutions. The new regulations are set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and will apply to all real property conveyances occurring on or after that date. This legislative effort seeks to enhance the integrity of property transactions in Tennessee and protect citizens from fraudulent activities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 8-13-108(a), 8-13-108, 66-24-101