59.43 (12) (a) The county board of any county may, upon request of the register of deeds, authorize the destruction of all obsolete documents pertaining to chattels antedating by 6 years, including final books of entry.
(b) A county board may, upon request of the register of deeds, authorize the destruction of all documents pertaining to town mutual insurance companies that were formerly required to be filed under ch. 202, 1971 stats., and that under s. 612.81 no longer have to be filed and all documents pertaining to stock corporations that were formerly required to be recorded under ch. 180, 1987 stats., and that under ch ch. 180 no longer have to be recorded. At least 60 days prior to the proposed destruction, the register of deeds shall notify in writing the state historical society which may order delivery to it of any records of historical interest. The state historical society may, upon application, waive the notice.
(c) Notwithstanding this section, subsection, sub. (1) and ss. 16.61 (3) (e), 19.21 (1) and (5) and 59.715 to 59.717 59.52 (4), the county board may authorize the transfer of the custody of all records maintained by the register of deeds under s. 342.20 (4), 1979 stats., to the department of transportation.
201,344
Section 344
. 59.51 (15) of the statutes is renumbered 59.43 (1) (p) and amended to read:
59.43 (1) (p) Perform all other duties that are required of the register of deeds by law.
201,345
Section 345
. 59.51 (16) of the statutes is renumbered 59.43 (12) (d) and amended to read:
59.43 (12) (d) In any a county where the board has established a system of recording and indexing by means of electronic data processing, machine printed forms or optical disk storage, the process of typing, key punching keypunching, other automated machines or optical imaging may be used to replace any handwritten entry or endorsement as described in this section subsection or in sub. (1). The various documents and indexes may also be combined into a general document file with one numbering sequence and one index at any time. The term “book" as used in this section In this subsection and in sub. (1), “book", if automated equipment is used, may include forms, tab or computer printed sheets as well as cards and other supply forms which although processed separately may be bound after preparation.
201,346
Section 346
. 59.51 (17) to (21) of the statutes are renumbered 59.43 (1) (q) to (u), and 59.43 (1) (q), (s) and (u), as renumbered, are amended to read:
59.43 (1) (q) Record and index writings that are submitted according to s. 144.44 (4) (b), evidencing that a solid or hazardous waste disposal facility will be established on the particular parcel described in the writings.
(s) Record and index statements of claim and perform the other duties specified under s. 706.057 (7).
(u) Submit that portion of recording fees collected under s. 59.57 (1) (a) 2. or 3. and (6a) (b) or (c)
sub. (2) (ag) 1. and (e) and not retained by the county to the land information board under s. 59.88 59.72 (5).
201,347
Section 347
. 59.512 of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act 27, is renumbered 59.43 (4) and amended to read:
59.43 (4) Register of deeds; microfilming and optical disk and electronic storage. (a) Except as provided in sub. (2) par. (b), upon the request of the register of deeds, any county, by board resolution, may authorize the register of deeds to photograph, microfilm or record on optical disks or in electronic format records of deeds, mortgages or other instruments relating to real property or may authorize the register of deeds to record on optical disks or in electronic format instruments relating to security interests in accordance with the requirements of s. 16.61 (7) or 59.145 59.52 (14) and to store the original records within the county at a place designated by the board. The storage place for the original records shall be reasonably safe and shall provide for the preservation of the records authorized to be stored under this subsection paragraph. The register of deeds shall keep a photograph, microfilm or optical disk or electronic copy of such records in conveniently accessible files in his or her office and shall provide for examination of such reproduction or examination of a copy generated from an optical disk or electronic file in enlarged, easily readable form upon request. Compliance with this subsection paragraph satisfies the requirement of s. 59.51 sub. (1) (a) that the register of deeds shall keep such records in his or her office. The register of deeds may make certified copies reproduced from an authorized photograph, from a copy generated from optical disk or electronic storage or from the original records.
(b) The register of deeds may microfilm or record on optical disks or in electronic format notices of lis pendens that are at least one year old, in accordance with the requirements of s. 16.61 (7) or 59.145 (2) to (4)
59.52 (14) (b) to (d). The register of deeds shall keep a microfilm or optical disk or electronic copy of notices of lis pendens in conveniently accessible files in his or her office and shall provide for examination of such reproduction or examination of a copy generated from optical disk or electronic storage in enlarged, easily readable form upon request. Compliance with this subsection paragraph satisfies the requirement of s. 59.51 sub. (1) (a) that the register of deeds shall keep such records in his or her office. The register of deeds may make certified copies reproduced from a copy generated from microfilm or from optical disk or electronic storage. The register of deeds may destroy or move to off-site storage any notice of lis pendens that has been microfilmed or recorded on optical disk or in electronic format under this subsection
paragraph.
201,348
Section 348
. 59.513 of the statutes is renumbered 59.43 (5) and amended to read:
59.43 (5) Including name of person drafting instrument. (a) No instrument by which the title to real estate, or any interest therein or lien thereon, is conveyed, created, encumbered, assigned or otherwise disposed of, shall be recorded by the register of deeds unless the name of the person who, or governmental agency which, drafted such instrument is printed, typewritten, stamped or written thereon in a legible manner. An instrument complies with this section subsection if it contains a statement in the following form: “This instrument was drafted by .... (name) ....".
(b) Subsection (1) Paragraph (a) does not apply to an instrument executed before May 9, 1957, or to:
1. A decree, order, judgment or writ of any
a court.
2. A will or a death certificate.
3. An instrument that is executed or acknowledged outside of this state.
201,349
Section 349
. 59.514 of the statutes is renumbered 59.43 (7) and amended to read:
59.43 (7) Including tax key or parcel identification number. (a) In counties having with a population of 500,000 or more where tax key numbers are used in the tax roll for taxes based on the value of property in cities, villages or towns municipalities, any conveyance, as defined in s. 706.01 (4), of any interest in real estate located in such a municipality shall contain reference to the key number affected. The tax key number shall be required for the recording of the conveyance.
(b) In counties having with a population of less than 500,000 where parcel identification numbers are used in the tax roll for taxes based on the value of property in cities, villages or towns municipalities, any conveyance, as defined in s. 706.01 (4), of any interest in real estate located in such a municipality shall contain reference to the parcel identification number affected if the county in which the parcel is located enacts an ordinance that requires the use of such a number in a conveyance. The parcel identification number shall be required for the recording of the conveyance, for administrative purposes only, if the county enacts an ordinance under this subsection paragraph.
201,350
Section 350
. 59.515 of the statutes is renumbered 59.43 (6) and amended to read:
59.43 (6) Effect of certain omissions in registers' records. The validity and effect of the record of any instrument in the office of register of deeds shall not be lessened or impaired by the fact that the name of any grantor, grantee, witness or notary was not printed or typed on the instrument or by the fact that it does not comply with s. 59.513 sub. (5).
201,351
Section 351
. 59.516 of the statutes is renumbered 59.43 (8) and amended to read:
59.43 (8) Required signature and seal on survey document for filing or recording. It is unlawful for the register of deeds of any county or any proper public authority to file or record any a map, plat, survey or other document within the definition of land surveying, which does not have impressed thereon, and affixed thereto, the personal signature and seal of a registered land surveyor under whose responsible charge the map, plat, survey or other document was prepared. This section subsection does not apply to any deed, contract or other recordable document prepared by an attorney.
201,352
Section 352
. 59.517 of the statutes, as created by 1995 Wisconsin Act 110, section 1, is renumbered 59.43 (2m).
201,353
Section 353
. 59.517 (4) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act 110, section 1m, is renumbered 59.43 (2m) (d) 1.
201,354
Section 354
. 59.52 (title) of the statutes is created to read:
59.52 (title) County administration.
201,355
Section 355
. 59.52 of the statutes is renumbered 59.43 (9) and amended to read:
59.43 (9) General index; electronic data processing. (a) 1. Each A register of deeds shall keep a general index, each page of which shall be divided into 9 columns, with heads to the respective columns as follows:
a. Number of the instrument.
b. Time of the instrument's reception.
c. Name of the grantor.
d. Name of the grantee.
e. Description of the land.
f. Name of the instrument.
g. Volume and page where the instrument is recorded.
h. To whom the instrument is delivered.
i. Fees The amount of fees received.
2. The register of deeds shall make correct entries in the index of every instrument or writing received by the register for record, under the respective and appropriate heads, entering the names of the grantors in alphabetical order; and the register shall immediately upon the receipt of any instrument or writing for record enter in the appropriate column, and in the order of time in which it was received, the day, hour and minute of reception; and the same shall be considered as recorded at the time so noted. Wherever any a register has made an entry in any index that is required by law to be kept in the register's office, in the index column provided for describing the land affected by the instrument indexed, stating “see record," “see deed," “see mortgage," or other instrument, as the case may be, that entry shall be a sufficient reference to the record of the instrument referred to if it be is in fact recorded at large in the place so referred to.
(b) Whenever a board has established a system of recording and indexing documents by means of electronic data processing, machine printed forms or cards or optical imaging, general alphabetic and numerical indexes without prebound books may be substituted for daily alphabetic and numerical indexes under this subsection or for the index under sub. (10).
201,356
Section 356
. 59.52 (4) (title) of the statutes is created to read:
59.52 (4) (title) Destruction, transfer of obsolete records.
201,357
Section 357
. 59.52 (6) (intro.) of the statutes is created to read:
59.52 (6) (intro.) The board may:
201,358
Section 358
. 59.52 (11) (intro.) of the statutes is created to read:
59.52 (11) (intro.) The board may:
201,359
Section 359
. 59.52 (12) (intro.) of the statutes is created to read:
59.52 (12) (intro.) The board may:
201,360
Section 360
. 59.52 (16) (intro.) of the statutes is created to read:
59.52 (16) (intro.) The board may:
201,361
Section 361
. 59.53 (title) and (1) (a) and (b) of the statutes are renumbered 59.43 (10) (title), (a) and (b) and amended to read:
59.43 (10) Index of records. (a) Each register of deeds shall keep an index of all records or files kept in the register's office showing the number of the instrument or writing consecutively, the kind of instrument and where the same instrument or writing is recorded or filed, arranged in 3 columns, headed “Number of the instrument", “Kind of instrument" and “Where the instrument is recorded or filed". The 3rd column shall be subdivided into 3 subcolumns headed “Volume", “Page" and “Letters of file".
(b) Each register of deeds shall also keep another index showing the number of the instrument, the names of the grantees in each instrument or writing in alphabetical order, the names of the grantors, the volume and page where the same instrument or writing is recorded and the name of the instrument or writing.
201,362
Section 362
. 59.53 (title) of the statutes is created to read:
59.53 (title) Health and human services.
201,363
Section 363
. 59.53 (2) of the statutes is repealed.
201,364
Section 364
. 59.53 (11) (intro.) of the statutes is created to read:
59.53 (11) (intro.) The board may:
201,365
Section 365
. 59.535 (title) of the statutes is created to read:
59.535 (title) Veterans affairs.
201,366
Section 366
. 59.54 (title) of the statutes is created to read:
59.54 (title) Public protection and safety.
201,367
Section 367
. 59.54 of the statutes is renumbered 59.43 (11), and 59.43 (11) (intro.), as renumbered, is amended to read:
59.43 (11) Record of attachments, lis pendens, etc. (intro.) Each A register of deeds shall file or record, and index, every writ of attachment or certified copy thereof of such a writ and certificate of real estate attached, every certificate of sale of real estate, and every notice of the pendency of any an action affecting real estate, which may be filed or recorded in the register's office. The register of deeds shall maintain an index for these documents that provides all of the following:
201,368
Section 368
. 59.55 (title) of the statutes is created to read:
59.55 (title) Consumer protection.
201,369
Section 369
. 59.55 of the statutes is renumbered 59.43 (12m), and 59.43 (12m) (a) (intro.), 1. and 3., (b), (bm), (c) and (d), as renumbered, are amended to read:
59.43 (12m) (a) (intro.) The county board by ordinance may require the register of deeds to keep a tract index in any one of the following forms, as specified by the county board:
1. Suitable books, so ruled and arranged so that opposite to the description of each quarter section, sectional lot, town, city or, village or town lot or other subdivision of land in the county, which a convenient arrangement may require to be noted, there shall be a blank space of at least 40 square inches in which the register shall enter in ink the letter or numeral indicating each volume, and the class of records of that volume designating mortgages by the letter M, deeds by the letter D, and miscellaneous by the abbreviation Mis., and the register of attachments, sales and notices by the letter R, together with the page of that volume upon which any deed, mortgage or other instrument affecting the title to or mentioning a tract or any part thereof has been recorded or entered.
3. Any other system that will allow the register of deeds to keep a tract index which contains information substantially equivalent to the information required to be contained in the tract index system under par. (a)
subd. 1.
(b) No index established under sub. (1) par. (a) may be discontinued, unless the county establishing the index adopts, keeps and maintains a complete abstract of title to the real estate in the county as a part of the records of the office of the register of deeds of that county.
(bm) In any county having with a population of 500,000 or more, the county board of supervisors may, by resolution, adopt a more complete system of tract indices than that above specified, or a system of chain of title indices, provided such if the system be is clearly specified in such resolution; and may thereafter at any time before the completion of such system alter or change such system or add to the same by resolution clearly specifying such alterations, changes or additions. In the event of such adoption, said board of supervisors may contract, with any suitable person, to compile and complete such system of indices, and may make supplemental contracts for the compilation and completion of such alterations, changes and additions, and may levy such taxes as may be required to cover the cost of so doing; said register of deeds shall not be required to compile, install or complete such system of indices or such alterations, changes or additions, but shall after the same be so completed under such contract, or contracts of such board of supervisors, thereafter maintain and keep up the same; and, thereafter shall discontinue all other tract indices theretofore in use or maintained.
(c) If a system of tract indices or of a system of chain of title indices is adopted by the county board
of supervisors by resolution, and if the resolution provides that the index shall include an abstract or notation of any proceeding or proceedings pending, of any instruments or documents filed or entered in the office of the clerk of any court of the county, the circuit court or the register of probate or of any inclusion of property in a tax certificate issued under s. 74.57, and calls for a daily report to be made to the register of deeds of the county by any officer in charge of such proceedings, instruments or documents, each office so called upon by the resolution to make a daily report, shall, upon the close of business on each day report, in writing, under his or her hand, to the register of deeds, any and all proceedings, instruments and documents and tax certificates called for by the resolution, and the register shall, when required to maintain and keep up the system of indices, note all the proceedings, instruments and documents and tax certificates upon the indices, in accordance with the resolution.
(d) Whenever in the judgment of the county board
of any county any existing tract index or indices become unfit for use, because of mistake therein or of imperfection in or insufficiency of plan, or because of becoming worn, overcrowded, or unserviceable or unreliable for any reason the county board may at any meeting thereof, by resolution, order a new and corrected set of tract indices arranged and compiled according to such plan as it may authorize, and in that behalf may purchase suitable books and receive bids and contract with any competent person to do said the work, at a price not exceeding five cents per folio, which shall be paid out of the county treasury on acceptance of said the work by the county board. The person contracting to do said the work, and the person's assistants, shall have access to and be entitled to the use of the old tract indices and other records in the register's office and other county records; and when said
the work is completed and said the new tract indices are approved and adopted by the county board, the old tract indices shall be preserved as provided in s. 59.71 (2)
59.52 (3) (b). The resolutions of the county board ordering, approving, and adopting such the new tract indices, duly certified by the county clerk, shall be recorded in each volume of such the new tract indices; and thereupon the same shall become and be the only lawful tract indices in the register's office.
201,370
Section 370
. 59.56 (title) of the statutes is created to read:
59.56 (title) Cultural affairs; education; recreation.
201,371
Section 371
. 59.56 of the statutes is renumbered 59.71 and amended to read:
59.71 (title) Special counties;
record of changes in streets, alleys, etc record keeping
. In counties having with a population of two hundred and fifty thousand 250,000 or more according to the last state or United States census, and when the county board has prepared and compiled in book form an eminent domain record containing an abstract of facts relating to the laying out, widening, extending or vacating any street, alley, water channel, park, highway or other public place by any court, legislature, county board, common council, village board or town board and shall make an order that such records with an index thereto be thereafter maintained and kept up, and provide a suitable book for that purpose, the register of deeds shall thereafter maintain and keep such book in which shall be entered an abstract of all proceedings relating to the laying out, widening, extending or vacating any street, alley, water channel, park, highway or other public place by any court, county board, common council, village board or town board. Such abstract shall substantially contain the facts as to the filing of a notice of lis pendens, the date of filing, the description, the court in which or the body before whom the proceeding is pending, the result of the proceedings, the action taken and the date thereof and briefly all the essential facts of any such proceeding, and such records shall have a practical index, with reference to the number and page of the volume where such abstracts are entered respectively. The abstracts and records to be kept by the register of deeds shall be certified by the register to be true and correct and when so certified shall be prima facie evidence of the facts therein recited and shall be received in all courts and places with the same effect as the original proceedings; and the record so prepared and compiled by the county board shall be prima facie evidence of the facts therein recited and shall also be received in all courts and places with the same effect as the original proceedings.
201,372
Section 372
. 59.56 (10) (intro.) of the statutes is created to read:
59.56 (10) (intro.) The board may:
201,373
Section 373
. 59.56 (12) (intro.) of the statutes is created to read:
59.56 (12) (intro.) Subject to sub. (12m), the board:
201,374
Section 374
. 59.57 (title) of the statutes is created to read:
59.57 (title) Economic and industrial development.
201,375
Section 375
. 59.57 (intro.) of the statutes is renumbered 59.43 (2) (intro.).