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Registry of Deeds reports small revenue gain; register asks commissioners to support two pending state legislative items
Summary
The county Register of Deeds reported modest revenue growth and asked commissioners to consider supporting LD358 (fee increase) and participation in LD353 (deed fraud study commission); commissioners said they may provide testimony through the county framework.
The Penobscot County Register of Deeds reported that recording volume and revenue improved slightly from 2023 to 2024 and that January 2025 transactions were about 25% higher than January 2024, driven in part by several large sales.
"2024 was a little bit better than 2023, not a whole lot, but a little bit. And January of 2025 has started out the year very nicely with a nice 25% increase over January of 2024," the register said during her report.
The register told commissioners about two items pending in the Maine Legislature. LD358 is "an act to increase fees paid to the registry of deeds," and the register said the office has not requested a fee increase since 2011. She said the county's regional partners (the Maine County Commissioners group) may consider submitting testimony on the registry's behalf; a public hearing on LD358 was noted for the week that included Jan. 29. The register also said LD353 would create a commission to study deed fraud, and the registry has been offered a seat on that study commission.
Commissioner Carmel asked whether the January increase reflected large sales or an increase in transaction volume; the register said several apartment buildings and a large land sale formerly owned by a mining company accounted for the higher-dollar transactions.
No formal vote or county action was taken at the meeting on either bill; the register said she would supply copies of materials and the county's legal staff would review any formal request for a county resolution or testimony.
Authorities mentioned at the briefing were the two legislative bills: LD358 (registry fee increase) and LD353 (commission to study deed fraud).
