Senate Bill 218 proposes significant changes to the real estate transfer fee structure and the administration of land information programs in Wisconsin. The bill reduces the real estate transfer fee from 30 cents to 20 cents for every $100 of property value. It also alters the distribution of the collected fees, with 30% going to the general fund, 20% to the land information fund, and 50% retained by the counties. Additionally, the bill increases the minimum grant amount for counties under the land information program from $100,000 to $175,000, and raises the minimum training grant for county employees from $1,000 to $5,000.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that counties establish a real property recording notification system, which will monitor changes in property records and notify applicants without charging any fees. This system is to be administered by the county's register of deeds. The bill also introduces a new provision requiring the Department of Administration to award grants to counties based on the proportion of real estate transfer fees collected, ensuring that 46% of the fees deposited into the land information fund are distributed to counties. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the efficiency of land record management while providing additional financial support to counties.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 16.967(7)(am)2, 16.967, 16.967(7)(b), 20.505(1)(uc), 20.505, 25.55, 77.22(1), 77.22