87R4416 NC-D
 
  By: Sherman, Sr. H.B. No. 949
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the electronic filing with and the recording by county
  clerks of records conveying or purporting to convey title to or an
  interest in real property.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 191.009(a), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A county clerk may accept electronic documents and other
  instruments by electronic filing and record the electronic
  documents and other instruments electronically if:
               (1)  the electronic documents or instruments do not
  convey or purport to convey title to or an interest in real
  property; and
               (2)  the filing or recording complies with the rules
  adopted by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission under
  Chapter 195.
         SECTION 2.  Section 195.002(b), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The rules must provide for:
               (1)  the electronic filing with and recording by the
  county clerk of:
                     (A)  real property records, other than records
  conveying or purporting to convey title to or an interest in real
  property; and
                     (B)  except for records maintained under Section
  192.006, other instruments filed with and recorded by the county
  clerk as determined by the commission;
               (2)  the means by which an electronic document or other
  instrument may be electronically transmitted to a county clerk for
  filing;
               (3)  the means by which a county clerk may
  electronically record an electronic document or other instrument
  filed electronically;
               (4)  requiring that the means adopted under Subdivision
  (2) or (3) be generally available, nonproprietary technology; and
               (5)  security standards to prevent the filing and
  recording of fraudulent electronic documents or other instruments
  or alteration of electronic documents or other instruments that
  were previously filed and recorded electronically.
         SECTION 3.  Chapter 15, Property Code, is amended by adding
  Section 15.0025 to read as follows:
         Sec. 15.0025.  APPLICABILITY. This chapter does not apply
  to a document that conveys or purports to convey title to or an
  interest in real property.
         SECTION 4.  (a)  Section 191.009(a), Local Government Code,
  as amended by this Act, and Section 15.0025, Property Code, as added
  by this Act, apply only to a document filed for recording on or
  after January 1, 2022.
         (b)  Not later than November 1, 2021, the Texas State Library
  and Archives Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement
  Section 195.002(b), Local Government Code, as amended by this Act,
  and Section 15.0025, Property Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.