Committee hears debate over making DLNR fee authority permanent; decision deferred

Chair Lee introduced HB 2544 to make permanent DLNR’s authority to set administrative fees for services such as recording by the Bureau of Conveyances. DLNR staff explained the proposal would equalize existing recording fees ($41 for the regular recording system and $36 for land-court recording) by setting a $41 fee across systems. HGEA (represented in the transcript as "Nui Sebast") testified in opposition and requested an amendment to include a two-year sunset on the use of qualified contractors.

Committee members pressed DLNR staff on fee mechanics and whether Land Court fees are administered by the judiciary; DLNR confirmed Land Court recording fees exist and that Land Court Judiciary has its own fees, while the Bureau of Conveyances maintains two recording systems. DLNR staff said they would explain details in follow-up and that some implementation details would rely on coordination with judiciary functions.

Because technical questions remain about fee implementation, contractor provisions and authority scope, the committee deferred decision-making on HB 2544 until the subsequent meeting on Wednesday the 18th.