An Act To Change the Requirements for Recording Plans at the County Registries of Deeds

Sec. 1. 33 MRSA §652,  as amended by PL 2003, c. 55, §2, is further amended to read:

§ 652. Recording plans

The county commissioners shall provide, at the expense of the several counties, suitable storage for plans with a minimum size of 12 by 18 11 by 17 and a maximum of 24 by 36 inches in dimension, for the preservation of such plans.

No A plan may not be accepted for recording unless all of the following criteria are met. The plan must:

Original plans must be recorded with a paper copy Paper plans submitted for recording must be rolled and not folded. The register may return plans that are not legible for recording and archival purposes and the processing of which may damage county equipment or resources. The register shall permanently file the original and maintain a copy for public inspection in at least one of the following media: paper , microfilm, microfiche or digital image stored on magnetic or optical media form. Suitable arrangements must be made for the preserving of original plans while affording the public reasonable opportunity to examine either the original or a reproduction. No additional fee is required for recording the copy Each plan must be microfilmed for archival purposes. Each register shall maintain an index of all plans on records record in the register's office.

The several registers shall establish, and thereafter adhere to, reasonable standards for the implementation of reproducing copies of original plans as recorded. Reproduction must be on a scale of one to one and must be accomplished with the least possible error and distortion. Methods of reproduction must be to standards in keeping with accepted engineering and survey practices.

summary

This bill makes the following changes to the laws governing recording plans in a registry of deeds.

1. It reduces the minimum paper size for plans.

2. It requires that plans be submitted on white 20-pound paper.

3. It specifies that paper plans be rolled and not folded.

4. It authorizes the register of deeds to return plans that are not legible for recording and archival purposes and the processing of which may damage county equipment or resources.

5. It specifies the size of the block that the register uses to record certain information.

6. It changes the requirements for the handling of originals and copies by the register.

7. It requires each plan be microfilmed for archival purposes.

8. It eliminates the requirement for a register to establish standards for making copies of original plans.