HB-4520, As Passed House, May 29, 2007

SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE BILL NO. 4520

     A bill to amend 1875 PA 54, entitled

"An act to facilitate the inspection and reproduction of the

records and files in the offices of the registers of deeds,"

by amending section 1 (MCL 565.551), as amended by 1994 PA 51.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

     Sec. 1. (1) A register of deeds shall furnish proper and

reasonable facilities for the inspection and examination of the

records and files in his or her office, and for making memorandums

or transcripts from the records and files during the usual business

hours, to an individual having a lawful purpose to examine the

records and files. However, the custodian of the records and files

may make reasonable rules and regulations with reference to the

inspection and examination of the records and files as is necessary

to protect the records and files and to prevent interference with

the regular discharge of the duties of the register of deeds.

     (2) If an individual requests a reproduction of a record or

file of a register of deeds, the register of deeds shall do 1 of

the following, at the register of deeds' option:

     (a) Reproduce the record or file for the individual pursuant

to the records media act, Act No. 116 of the Public Acts of 1992,

being sections 24.401 to 24.403 of the Michigan Compiled Laws

reproduction act, 1992 PA 116, MCL 24.401 to 24.406, using a medium

selected by the register of deeds. Unless a different fee is

provided for by law, the fee for a reproduction under this

subdivision other than a paper copy shall not exceed the reasonable

costs to the register of deeds.

     (b) Provide equipment for the individual to reproduce the

record or file pursuant to Act No. 116 of the Public Acts of 1992

the records reproduction act, 1992 PA 116, MCL 24.401 to 24.406,

using a medium selected by the register of deeds. Unless a

different fee is provided for by law, the fee for a reproduction

under this subdivision other than a paper copy shall not exceed the

reasonable costs to the register of deeds.

     (c) Authorize the individual to reproduce the record or file

on the premises using equipment provided by that individual. This

subdivision does not apply unless the individual requests

authorization to reproduce the record or file using equipment

provided by that individual.

     (3) A register of deeds may prohibit the reproduction of an

instrument temporarily left with the register of deeds to be

recorded in the register of deeds' office.

     (4) Unless state or federal law, rule, regulation, or court

order or rule requires that all or more than 4 sequential digits of

the social security number appear in the record or file, if a

record or file that contains a social security number is reproduced

for or by an individual under subsection (2), the register of deeds

may obscure or remove, or require that the individual obscure or

remove, the first 5 digits of the social security number from the

reproduction before the individual removes the reproduction from

the office of the register of deeds.

     (5) An individual whose social security number is contained in

1 or more instruments in a county's books of record may request

that the register of deeds of that county obscure or remove the

first 5 digits of his or her social security number from copies

made of those instruments by recording an affidavit identifying the

liber and page of those instruments.