ENROLLED CS/CS/HB 1419 2023 Legislature CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1419-03-er Page 1 of 12 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S 1 An act relating to real property fraud; creating s. 2 28.2225, F.S.; creating the Title Fraud Prevention 3 Through Identity Verification Pilot Program in Lee 4 County; authorizing the clerk of the circuit court for 5 Lee County to require the production of a government -6 issued photographic identification card before 7 recording a deed or other instrument in specified 8 circumstances and providing requirements therefor; 9 providing requirements for the clerk, including 10 submitting a certain report to the Governor and 11 Legislature by a specified date; providing that the 12 clerk is not required to allow access to a record or 13 other information that is confidential and exempt; 14 providing for prospective repeal; creating s. 28.47, 15 F.S.; requiring the clerk to create, maintain, and 16 operate an opt-in recording notification service; 17 providing definitions; requiring the clerk to ensure 18 that registration for such service is possible throug h 19 an electronic registration portal; providing portal 20 and notification requirements; providing immunity from 21 liability for the clerk; providing construction; 22 providing applicability for certain property 23 appraisers; creating s. 65.091, F.S.; providing that 24 an action may be brought under ch. 65, F.S., to quiet 25 ENROLLED CS/CS/HB 1419 2023 Legislature CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1419-03-er Page 2 of 12 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S title after a fraudulent attempted conveyance; 26 requiring the court to quiet title and award certain 27 title and rights under certain circumstances; 28 requiring the clerk to provide a simplified complaint 29 form; creating s. 689.025, F.S.; requiring a quitclaim 30 deed to be in a specified form; amending s. 695.26, 31 F.S.; revising requirements for recording instruments 32 affecting real property; providing effective dates. 33 34 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 35 36 Section 1. Section 28.2225, Florida Statutes, is created 37 to read: 38 28.2225 Title fraud prevention through identity 39 verification; pilot program. -There is created in Lee County the 40 Title Fraud Prevention Through Identity Verification Pilot 41 Program. 42 (1) As used in this section, the term "clerk" means the 43 clerk of the circuit court for Lee County. 44 (2) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary in 45 this chapter, when a deed or other instrument purporting to 46 convey real property or an interest therein is presented to the 47 clerk for recording, the clerk may require the person presenting 48 the deed or other instrument to produce a government -issued 49 photographic identification card as follows: 50 ENROLLED CS/CS/HB 1419 2023 Legislature CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1419-03-er Page 3 of 12 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S (a) If a person presents a deed or othe r instrument 51 purporting to convey real property or an interest therein to the 52 clerk for recording in person, the clerk may require the person 53 to produce a government -issued photographic identification card 54 for inspection by the clerk before recording the d eed or other 55 instrument. The clerk must record the name and address of such 56 person, as the information appears on the identification card, 57 in a record to be kept by the clerk, along with the official 58 records book and page number or instrument number of the deed or 59 other instrument recorded in connection to the production of the 60 identification card. Such a record may not be made available for 61 viewing on the clerk's official public website but shall be made 62 available for public inspection and copying as requi red by the 63 public records laws of this state. 64 (b) If a person presents a deed or other instrument 65 purporting to convey real property or an interest therein to the 66 clerk for recording through an electronic recording service, the 67 clerk may require the pers on to submit a photocopy of a 68 government-issued photographic identification card before 69 recording the deed or other instrument. The clerk must note on 70 the photocopy of the identification card the official records 71 book and page number or instrument number a ssigned to the deed 72 or other instrument recorded in connection to the submission of 73 the photocopy of the identification card and retain the 74 photocopy of such identification card in a record to be kept by 75 ENROLLED CS/CS/HB 1419 2023 Legislature CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1419-03-er Page 4 of 12 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S the clerk. Such a record may not be made available f or viewing 76 on the clerk's official public website but shall be made 77 available for public inspection and copying as required by the 78 public records laws of this state. However, a person who submits 79 a photocopy of his or her identification card under this 80 paragraph may redact from the photocopy of such identification 81 card before submission all of the information he or she does not 82 wish to be made public, except for his or her name, address, and 83 photograph. 84 85 The clerk may refuse to record a deed or other instr ument 86 purporting to convey real property or an interest therein when 87 the clerk requires the production of a government -issued 88 photographic identification card as specified in this subsection 89 and the person presenting the deed or other instrument for 90 recording does not produce the requested identification card in 91 compliance with this subsection. 92 (3) A clerk who participates in the pilot program must: 93 (a) Provide notice of the government -issued photographic 94 identification card requirement on the clerk's o fficial public 95 website. 96 (b) Require the production of a government -issued 97 photographic identification card from all persons presenting a 98 deed or other qualifying instrument for recording, whether in 99 person or through an electronic recording service, unti l the 100 ENROLLED CS/CS/HB 1419 2023 Legislature CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1419-03-er Page 5 of 12 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S clerk no longer participates in the pilot program and provides 101 notice that the production of such an identification card is no 102 longer required on the clerk's official public website. 103 (c) By December 31, 2025, submit a report containing the 104 following information to the Governor, the President of the 105 Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives: 106 1. The number of persons who presented a deed or other 107 qualifying instrument for recording: 108 a. In person. 109 b. Through an electronic recording service. 110 2. The types of identification cards produced in 111 connection with the presentation of deeds or other qualifying 112 instruments for recording, and the number of each type. 113 3. Feedback received from the community, if any, in 114 response to the clerk's participation in the pilot program. 115 4. Whether the pilot program led to the identification of 116 any persons suspected or accused of fraudulently conveying, or 117 attempting to fraudulently convey, real property, and the 118 outcome of any criminal charges or civi l actions brought against 119 such persons. 120 5. The clerk's recommendation as to whether the production 121 of a government-issued photographic identification card in 122 connection with the presentation of a deed or other instrument 123 for recording is appropriate to r equire throughout this state. 124 6. Any other information the clerk deems necessary. 125 ENROLLED CS/CS/HB 1419 2023 Legislature CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1419-03-er Page 6 of 12 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S (4) This section does not require the clerk to provide or 126 allow access to a record or other information that is 127 confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Ar t. I 128 of the State Constitution or to otherwise violate the public 129 records laws of this state. 130 (5) This section is repealed on July 1, 2025. 131 Section 2. Section 28.47, Florida Statutes, is created to 132 read: 133 28.47 Recording notification service. — 134 (1) On or before July 1, 2024, each clerk of the circuit 135 court must create, maintain, and operate a free recording 136 notification service which is open to all persons wishing to 137 register for the service. For purposes of this section, the 138 term: 139 (a) "Land record" means a deed, mortgage, or other 140 document purporting to convey or encumber real property. 141 (b) "Monitored identity" means a personal or business name 142 or a parcel identification number submitted by a registrant for 143 monitoring under a recording notificat ion service. 144 (c) "Recording notification" means a notification sent by 145 electronic mail indicating to a registrant that a land record 146 associated with the registrant's monitored identity has been 147 recorded in the public records of the county. 148 (d) "Recording notification service" means a service which 149 sends automated recording notifications. 150 ENROLLED CS/CS/HB 1419 2023 Legislature CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1419-03-er Page 7 of 12 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S (e) "Registrant" means a person who registers for a 151 recording notification service. 152 (2) The clerk must ensure that registration for the 153 recording notification ser vice is possible through an electronic 154 registration portal, which portal must: 155 (a) Be accessible through a direct link on the clerk's 156 official public website; 157 (b) Allow a registrant to subscribe to receive recording 158 notifications for at least five mon itored identities per valid 159 electronic mail address provided; 160 (c) Include a method by which a registrant may unsubscribe 161 from the service; 162 (d) List a phone number at which the clerk's office may be 163 contacted during normal business hours with questions related to 164 the service; and 165 (e) Send an automated electronic mail message to a 166 registrant confirming his or her successful registration for or 167 action to unsubscribe from the service, which message must 168 identify each monitored identity for which a subscr iption was 169 received or canceled. 170 (3) When a land record is recorded for a monitored 171 identity, a recording notification must be sent within 24 hours 172 after the recording to each registrant who is subscribed to 173 receive recording notifications for that monit ored identity. 174 Such notification must contain, at a minimum: 175 ENROLLED CS/CS/HB 1419 2023 Legislature CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1419-03-er Page 8 of 12 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S (a) Information identifying the monitored identity for 176 which the land record was filed; 177 (b) The land record's recording date; 178 (c) The official record book and page number or instrument 179 number assigned to the land record by the clerk; 180 (d) Instructions for electronically searching for and 181 viewing the land record using the assigned official record book 182 and page number or instrument number; and 183 (e) A phone number at which the clerk's office may be 184 contacted during normal business hours with questions related to 185 the recording notification. 186 (4) There is no right or cause of action against, and no 187 civil liability on the part of, the clerk with re spect to the 188 creation, maintenance, or operation of a recording notification 189 service as required by this section. 190 (5) Nothing in this section may be construed to require 191 the clerk to provide or allow access to a record or information 192 which is confidentia l and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), 193 Art. I of the State Constitution or to otherwise violate the 194 public records laws of this state. 195 (6) This section also applies to county property 196 appraisers who have adopted an electronic land record 197 notification service before July 1, 2023. 198 (a) The property appraiser may use a verification process 199 for persons wishing to register for the electronic land record 200 ENROLLED CS/CS/HB 1419 2023 Legislature CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1419-03-er Page 9 of 12 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S notification service to ensure integrity of the process. 201 (b) For purposes of this subsection only, and 202 notwithstanding paragraph (1)(a) and subsection (3): 203 1. "Land record" means a deed or other document purporting 204 to convey real property. 205 2. When a land record is recorded for a monitored 206 identity, the property appraiser must send a recording 207 notification to each registrant who is subscribed to receive 208 recording notifications for that monitored identity within 24 209 hours after the instrument being reflected on the county tax 210 roll. 211 Section 3. Section 65.091, Florida Statutes, is created to 212 read: 213 65.091 Quieting title; fraudulent conveyances. — 214 (1) An action to quiet title based on a fraudulent 215 attempted conveyance allegation may be maintained under this 216 chapter, and this remedy is cumulative to other existing 217 remedies. A petitioner bringing an act ion to quiet title based 218 on such allegations is entitled to summary procedure under s. 219 51.011, and the court shall advance the cause on the calendar. 220 (2) In an action to quiet title, when the court determines 221 that an attempt was made to fraudulently con vey the land at 222 issue away from a plaintiff who had legal title to the land 223 before the conveyance, the court must quiet title in and award 224 the plaintiff with the same title and rights to the land that 225 ENROLLED CS/CS/HB 1419 2023 Legislature CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1419-03-er Page 10 of 12 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S the plaintiff enjoyed before the attempted conveyance. 226 (3) The clerk of the circuit court must provide a 227 simplified form for the filing of a complaint to quiet title 228 based on a fraudulent attempted conveyance allegation and 229 instructions for completing such form. 230 Section 4. Section 689.025, Florida Statu tes, is created 231 to read: 232 689.025 Form of quitclaim deed prescribed. -A quitclaim 233 deed of conveyance to real property or an interest therein must: 234 (1) Be in substantially the following form: 235 236 This Quitclaim Deed, executed this (date) day of (month, year) , 237 by first party, Grantor (name), whose post office address is 238 (address), to second party, Grantee (name), whose post office 239 address is (address). 240 241 Witnesseth, that the said first party, for the sum of $(amount), 242 and other good and valuable consideration p aid by the second 243 party, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, does hereby 244 remise, release, and quitclaim unto the said second party 245 forever, all the right, title, interest, claim, and demand which 246 the said first party has in and to the following des cribed 247 parcel of land, and all improvements and appurtenances thereto, 248 in (county), Florida: 249 250 ENROLLED CS/CS/HB 1419 2023 Legislature CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1419-03-er Page 11 of 12 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S (Legal description) 251 252 (2) Include the legal description of the real property the 253 instrument purports to convey, or in which the instrument 254 purports to convey an interest, which description must be 255 legibly printed, typewritten, or stamped thereon. 256 (3) Include a blank space for the parcel identification 257 number assigned to the real property the instrument purports to 258 convey, or in which the instrument purports to convey an 259 interest, which number, if available, must be entered on the 260 deed before it is presented for recording. The failure to 261 include such blank space or the parcel identification number 262 does not affect the validity of the conveyance or the 263 recordability of the deed. Such parcel identification number is 264 not a part of the legal description of the property otherwise 265 set forth in the instrument and may not be used as a substitute 266 for the legal description required by this section. 267 Section 5. Effective J anuary 1, 2024, paragraph (c) of 268 subsection (1) of section 695.26, Florida Statutes, is amended 269 to read: 270 695.26 Requirements for recording instruments affecting 271 real property.— 272 (1) No instrument by which the title to real property or 273 any interest therein is conveyed, assigned, encumbered, or 274 otherwise disposed of shall be recorded by the clerk of the 275 ENROLLED CS/CS/HB 1419 2023 Legislature CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb1419-03-er Page 12 of 12 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S circuit court unless: 276 (c) The name of each witness to the instrument is legibly 277 printed, typewritten, or stamped upon such instrument 278 immediately beneath the signature of such witness and the post 279 office address of each such person is legibly printed, 280 typewritten, or stamped upon such instrument ; 281 Section 6. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this 282 act, this act shall take effect July 1, 2023. 283