2020 House Bill 6296 / Public Act 248

Authorize electronic document recording during epidemic

Introduced in the House

Oct. 8, 2020

Introduced by Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-65)

To permit and require county registers of deeds to accept electronic documents for recording for the period between April 29, 2020 and Jan. 1, 2021, for which they “need only act in substantial compliance” with an existing law that permits but does not require this under rules it specifies. The bill also specifies that these offices may “deem all financial institutions and all title insurance companies or their employed or contracted settlement agents as covered by an agreement establishing a verified transactional relationship” for purposes of accepting electronic documents for recording.

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations

Oct. 13, 2020

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Substitute offered by Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-65)

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 102 to 1 (details)

To permit and require county registers of deeds to accept electronic documents for recording for the period between April 30, 2020 and Jan. 1, 2021, for which they “need only act in substantial compliance” with an existing law that permits but does not require this under rules it specifies. The bill also specifies that these offices may “deem all financial institutions and all title insurance companies or their employed or contracted settlement agents as covered by an agreement establishing a verified transactional relationship” for purposes of accepting electronic documents for recording.

Received in the Senate

Oct. 21, 2020

Referred to the Committee of the Whole

Passed in the Senate 37 to 0 (details)

Signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Nov. 5, 2020