Assembly Bill 445 proposes significant amendments to the statutes governing the duties of county registers of deeds in Wisconsin. The bill aims to modernize and clarify existing provisions, with most changes being minor in nature. Key changes include the requirement for recorded documents affecting real property to identify the property using specified descriptions, the inclusion of the date and time of recording on documents, and the necessity for documents referencing previously recorded documents to include their document numbers. Additionally, the bill introduces stricter guidelines for the recording of documents, such as prohibiting the recording of unauthorized documents and establishing specific format requirements for recorded documents.

The bill also addresses the recording of transportation project plats, allowing for a more flexible format of up to four sheets. It modifies the fee for recording a transportation plat from $25 to $30 and introduces penalties for individuals who knowingly submit false or forged documents for recording. Furthermore, it eliminates certain notices and requirements related to bound volumes, while also defining the term "page" for fee calculations. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the efficiency and integrity of the recording process while ensuring compliance with updated standards.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 54.19(8), 54.19, 59.43(1b), 59.43, 59.43(1c)(intro.), 59.43(1c)(a), 59.43(1c)(c), 59.43(1c)(d), 59.43(1c)(e), 59.43(1c)(f), 59.43(1c)(g), 59.43(1c)(h), 59.43(1c)(i), 59.43(1c)(j)