SB 978 — Recordable instruments; modifying certain margin requirements. Effective date. Emergency.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - FLOOR VERSION STATE OF OKLAHOMA 1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025) ENGROSSED SENATE BILL NO.

Howard of the Senate and Pfeiffer of the House 85 An Act relating to recordable instruments;

Every county clerk in this state shall require that the mandates of the Legislature be complied with, as expressed in Sections 287 and 291 of this title, and for that purpose, every instrument offered which may be accepted by the county clerk for recording, affecting specific real property whether of conveyance, encumbrance, assignment, or release of encumbrance, lease, SB978assignment HFLRof Pagelease 1or BOLDrelease FACEof denoteslease, Committeeshall Amendments.be an original or certified copy of an original instrument and clearly legible in accordance with the provisions of subsection B of this section, and ENGR.

assignmentS. of lease or release of lease, shall be an original or certified copy of an original instrument and clearly legible in accordance with the provisions of subsection B of this section, and shall by its own terms describe the property by its specific legal description, and provide such information as is necessary for indexing as required in Sections 287 and 291 of this title, and on each such instrument shall be listed the mailing address of the grantee, mortgagee, assignee or other designated party to which the instrument is to be delivered after recording.

B.

NO.

978 Page 1 shall by its own terms describe the property by its specific legal description, and provide such information as is necessary for indexing as required in Sections 287 and 291 of this title, and on each such instrument shall be listed the mailing address of the grantee, mortgagee, assignee or other designated party to which the instrument is to be delivered after recording.

Unless the person offering a nonconforming instrument for filing is willing to reform the instrument to conform to statutory requirements, for which purpose it may be withdrawn and refiled during the same business day, the county clerk may refuse to record SB978the HFLRsame Pagein 2the BOLDrecords FACEof denotesdeeds, Committeeleases Amendments.or mortgages or to index the same upon the index records referred to in Section 287 or 291 of ENGR.

theS. same in the records of deeds, leases or mortgages or to index the same upon the index records referred to in Section 287 or 291 of this title, or to file or record the same in the office of the county clerk.

NO.

978 Page 2 this title, or to file or record the same in the office of the county clerk.

B.

If an instrument SB978submitted HFLRto Pagethe 3county BOLDclerk FACEfor denotesrecording Committeedoes Amendments.not contain sufficient space for the affixation of such stamps and recording ENGR.

submittedS. to the county clerk for recording does not contain sufficient space for the affixation of such stamps and recording information without covering language contained in the instrument, the county clerk shall attach an additional page to the document to provide for the affixation of such stamps and recording information.

B.

NO.

978 Page 3 information without covering language contained in the instrument, the county clerk shall attach an additional page to the document to provide for the affixation of such stamps and recording information.

SB978 HFLR Page 4 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments.

Despite any provision in this section to the contrary, a digitized image or electronic copy of an original or certified copy of an original instrument or document shall satisfy the requirement thatENGR. the document be an original or certified copy of an original instrument or document, provided that the digitized image or electronic copy is submitted for recording electronically pursuant to the Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act in Title 16 of the Oklahoma Statutes and all other rules promulgated pursuant to that act.

S.

B.

NO.

978 Page 4 that the document be an original or certified copy of an original instrument or document, provided that the digitized image or electronic copy is submitted for recording electronically pursuant to the Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act in Title 16 of the Oklahoma Statutes and all other rules promulgated pursuant to that act.

It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby SB978declared HFLRto Pageexist, 5by BOLDreason FACEwhereof denotesthis Committeeact Amendments.shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval.

declaredENGR. to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval.

4S. COMMITTEE REPORT BY:

COMMITTEEB. ON JUDICIARY AND PUBLIC SAFETY OVERSIGHT, dated 04/22/2025 - DO PASS.

6NO. 8 SB978 HFLR Page 6 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments.

978 Page 5 Passed the Senate the 11th day of March, 2025.

3 Presiding Officer of the Senate 5 Passed the House of Representatives the ____ day of __________, 2025.

8 Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives ENGR.

S.

B.

NO.

978 Page 6