Tennessee House Bill HB0176

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/12/23
• Refer: 1/21/23
• Refer: 2/15/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 66, Chapter 24, Part 1, relative to registration of writings.

Impact

The impact of this bill seeks to improve the legibility and consistency of documents registered with the county offices. By enforcing specific formatting standards, the bill aims to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of document registration processes while potentially reducing disputes over document legibility. This change could have significant implications for individuals and entities involved in real estate transactions or other legal matters that require the registration of writings, as it outlines clear standards that must be adhered to.

Summary

House Bill 0176 amends the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Title 66, Chapter 24, Part 1, pertaining to the registration of writings. This legislation introduces new requirements on how documents submitted for registration must be formatted, mandating the use of Times New Roman font with a minimum size of twelve points. The county register gains the authority to refuse documents deemed illegible unless the submitter provides an affidavit confirming the document's validity and detailing specific required information about the writing.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 0176 could arise regarding the additional burdens it places on individuals who may need to register documents in the required format. Some critics may argue that enforcing a specific font and size could create unnecessary obstacles for those less familiar with legal formatting requirements. Additionally, concerns may be raised about the practicality of providing affidavits for documents considered illegible, which could place an undue administrative burden on registrants and the county registers responsible for implementing these new rules.