HB 3383 would increase several fees charged by county clerks for recording, filing, and issuing official documents and certificates. The bill raises the fee for official certificates from $3.75 to $5, increases the fee for locating and supplying copies of records to private parties from $3.75 to $5 plus per-page charges, raises the fee for marriage licenses and domestic partnership registrations from $25 to $35, and increases the fee for solemnizing a marriage to $117. It also increases the penalty for recording an instrument that does not comply with statutory formatting requirements from $20 to $30.
The measure amends ORS 205.320 and 205.327, which govern county clerk fee schedules and penalties for noncompliant recording documents. It also preserves existing county clerk authority to collect certain additional fees for specific recording transactions and continues the 5 percent deduction from certain fees and taxes for clerk records funds, while leaving several dedicated revenue streams exempt from that deduction. In practical terms, the bill would raise costs for people and entities using county recording services, including homeowners, businesses, title companies, and couples obtaining marriage-related services.
Impact
HB 3383 would directly change Oregon law by amending the statutory fee schedule for county clerks in ORS 205.320 and the penalty provision in ORS 205.327. Counties would be authorized and required to collect the higher amounts for specified services, increasing revenue to county clerks and, in some cases, county records funds. The bill would affect individuals and organizations that file, record, copy, or certify documents with county clerks, as well as those seeking marriage licenses or marriage solemnization services.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, the measure appears administrative and revenue-oriented rather than ideologically controversial. The sponsor is the Committee on Rules at the request of the Oregon Association of County Clerks, suggesting support from county administrative officials who likely view the increases as needed to keep fees aligned with service costs. No opposing or supporting floor or committee statements are included, so the overall sentiment cannot be measured from debate, but the bill reads as a routine fee update.
Contention
The main point of contention would likely be the higher costs imposed on users of county clerk services, especially people recording real estate or legal documents and couples paying for marriage-related services. County clerks and their association appear to support the bill as a fee adjustment, while affected users, title and recording stakeholders, or advocates concerned about affordability could object to the increases. The bill does not include policy changes beyond fees and penalties, so any disagreement would center on the size and fairness of the increases rather than the underlying program structure.