HSB 553

This bill relates to the submission of a groundwater hazard statement with a declaration of value upon the conveyance of real property. Under current law, a groundwater hazard statement stating whether certain groundwater hazards exist shall accompany each declaration of value submitted to a county recorder when any real property in this state is granted, assigned, transferred, or otherwise conveyed. Current law also requires a county recorder to transmit a groundwater hazard statement to the department of natural resources (DNR) as directed by the DNR director. Under the bill, a person shall not include a groundwater hazard statement with a deed, instrument, or writing if no hazardous conditions exist on the property. Rather, the first page of the deed, instrument, or writing shall include a statement indicating that no groundwater hazard exists on the property and, therefore, the parcel is exempt from including a groundwater hazard statement. The owner of the property is responsible for the accuracy of such statement. _____ declaration of value is not accompanied by a groundwater hazard statement, if required, or if the exemption statement is not present on the first page of the deed, instrument, or writing, if required. Additionally, the bill authorizes a county recorder to transmit a groundwater hazard statement to DNR electronically or presented through a browser interface provided by the county land record information system as determined by DNR and the county recorders.