Committee OKs bill requiring grantee acceptance for recorded deeds after assessors flag conveyance gap

Senate Bill 12‑54 would prohibit recorders from accepting a deed or conveyance for recording unless the grantee’s acceptance is evidenced by the grantee’s signature or by a separate certificate or resolution of acceptance.

Representatives of county assessors told the Senate Finance Committee that under current practice the grantor’s signature alone sometimes creates recorded conveyances where the intended grantee—often a public jurisdiction—did not formally accept the conveyance. Jordy Clark of the Arizona Association of Counties and Maricopa County Assessor Eddie Cook said the change would close a loophole that has delayed formal acceptance or, in some cases, left jurisdictions unaware that property was conveyed to them.

Cook said the county assessors process large volumes of recorded deeds and that about 30% of recorded deeds in Maricopa County are recorded with only a grantor signature; the bill would require both parties to evidence the transfer to reduce fraud and administration problems. Chief deputy assessor Darren Rasmussen of Mohave County testified in support.

Senator Leach moved the bill and the committee voted 6–0 to pass SB 12‑54 out of committee with a due‑pass recommendation.