Today is "Good Deeds" Day (Updated)

I'll be running three bills today in the Capitol, two in committee and one on the House floor, and all three deal with deeds and real property instruments. HBs 1298 and 1299 are set as a special order of business in City, County & Local Affairs and deal with the Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act (URPERA). You can learn more about this legislation by reading this previous entry on the blog. This is part of a personal goal to help Arkansas move towards an electronic system of filing and storing all pleadings and public records electronically. Pulaski County Circuit/County Clerk Pat O'brien will assist in the presentation of the bills, and we're purposefully presenting the legislation during a statewide meeting of circuit clerks so that many of them can be in attendance and speak on behalf of the legislation as necessary. Some title companies have raised objections to this legislation, and I do expect some vocal opposition in committee.

HB1362 received a "Do Pass" recommendation from House Judiciary on Thursday, and I'll be presenting it to the full House today. You can read more about this legislation dealing with Beneficiary Deeds in this previous blog entry.

Update: Both bills were passed out of committee with some opposition. There were approximately 40 Circuit Clerks present to show their support for the bill, including my circuit clerk, Mary Pankey. The bill I presented to the House floor to revise beneficiary Deeds passed by a vote of 94-0 and is being tansmitted to the Senate.