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Recorder reports modernization bills, property-fraud alert rollout and big spikes in passports and boat renewals
Summary
Recorder Carolyn told supervisors two recorder fee modernization bills (House File 328 and House File 633) are progressing in the Legislature, a property-fraud alert sign-up launches April 3, boat renewals show a 63% response through March after an online rollout, and passport applications jumped 188% year-over-year in March.
Carolyn, the county recorder, briefed the Board of Supervisors on April 1 about legislative and operational items in her office. She said two recorder fee modernization measures are active in the state Legislature: House File 328 is scheduled for the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday and House File 633 is being considered with amendments and not yet scheduled.
Carolyn said a property fraud alert and title-theft notification sign-up will be launched with a news release on April 3 to help prevent fraudulent property recordings. She reported 2,792 real estate documents recorded in March — about 400 more than March 2024 — and said that recordings have risen over the last three months.
On customer services, the recorder said the office reorganized workflow so passport customers enter near the photo station and that signage updates are planned by the end of the month. She credited an online rollout for boat renewals this year: of 9,358 notices sent in January, 5,830 renewals (about 63%) had been recorded through March; she said the online process uses a PIN for renewals and passes a small payment processing fee (about 3%).
She reported passport activity surged: 709 new passport applications in March versus 377 in March 2024, which she characterized as a 188% increase.
Carolyn also reminded supervisors that the Board vacancy for District 2 is being addressed with a public meeting that day to discuss and appoint the new supervisor; no appointment outcome was announced in the meeting minutes.
The recorder asked supervisors to pass thanks to her staff for handling increased service demand and said she will follow up on signage and the recorder fee legislation.
