Texas Senate Bill SB1874

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to the duty of a county clerk to send a copy of a recorded deed to the grantor.

Impact

The proposed law modifies Chapter 11 of the Texas Property Code by adding Section 11.0042. The effect of this modification is effective from September 1, 2021, applying specifically to deeds recorded on or after that date. This law will likely reduce the potential for disputes relating to ownership by ensuring that property owners are promptly informed about the official documentation reflecting their property rights. Additionally, it serves to protect property owners from potential fraud as they can verify the accurate recordation of their deeds.

Summary

SB1874 mandates that, upon the recording of a deed in a county's real property records, the county clerk is required to send a copy of that deed to the grantor's address. This addresses the need for ensuring that individuals execute well-informed decisions regarding their property as they will have immediate access to recorded deeds distinctly reflecting their ownership. The aim is to streamline the communication between the county’s operational functions and those engaging in property transactions, enhancing transparency within property dealings.

Contention

While the bill may provide benefits in terms of clarity and communication concerning property ownership, it also invites discussion about the responsibilities of county clerks and the implications of ensuring compliance with this mandate. Some may argue about the administrative burden placed on county clerks, particularly in handling the logistics of sending copies and maintaining accurate address records based on the most recently approved county tax rolls. Consideration must be given to whether the county clerks have adequate resources to manage these additional obligations efficiently.