H.B. 16

             1     

WRONGFUL LIEN AMENDMENTS

             2     
2014 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: R. Curt Webb

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Stephen H. Urquhart

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      Committee Note:
             9          The Political Subdivisions Interim Committee recommended this bill.
             10      General Description:
             11          This bill recodifies and amends Title 38, Chapter 9, Wrongful Liens and Wrongful
             12      Judgment Liens.
             13      Highlighted Provisions:
             14          This bill:
             15          .    defines terms;
             16          .    requires a document sponsor who submits a nonconsensual common law document
             17      to the county recorder for recording to:
             18              .    cause the sheriff to serve notice of the recording on each affected person; and
             19              .    initiate a judicial proceeding to determine whether the nonconsensual common
             20      law document is enforceable;
             21          .    provides that a document sponsor who submits an unenforceable nonconsensual
             22      common law document to the county recorder for recording is liable to each
             23      affected person for any actual damages;
             24          .    provides that a recorded nonconsensual common law document is void if the
             25      document sponsor does not comply with the requirements described in this bill; and
             26          .    makes technical and conforming changes.
             27      Money Appropriated in this Bill:


             28          None
             29      Other Special Clauses:
             30          None
             31      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             32      AMENDS:
             33           38-9a-102 , as enacted by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 93
             34           76-6-503.5 , as enacted by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 93
             35           78B-5-201 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 88
             36           78B-5-408 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 88
             37      ENACTS:
             38           38-9-101 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             39           38-9-201 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             40           38-9-301 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             41           38-9-302 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             42           38-9-303 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             43           38-9-304 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             44           38-9-305 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             45      RENUMBERS AND AMENDS:
             46           38-9-102 , (Renumbered from 38-9-1, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter
             47      381)
             48           38-9-103 , (Renumbered from 38-9-2, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter
             49      278)
             50           38-9-202 , (Renumbered from 38-9-3, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter
             51      381)
             52           38-9-203 , (Renumbered from 38-9-4, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter
             53      381)
             54           38-9-204 , (Renumbered from 38-9-6, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1997, Chapter 125)
             55           38-9-205 , (Renumbered from 38-9-7, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1997, Chapter 125)
             56     
             57      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             58          Section 1. Section 38-9-101 is enacted to read:


             59     
CHAPTER 9. WRONGFUL LIEN ACT

             60     
Part 1. General Provisions

             61          38-9-101. Title.
             62          (1) This chapter is known as the "Wrongful Lien Act."
             63          (2) This part is known as "General Provisions."
             64          Section 2. Section 38-9-102 , which is renumbered from Section 38-9-1 is renumbered
             65      and amended to read:
             66           [38-9-1].     38-9-102. Definitions.
             67          As used in this chapter:
             68          (1) "Affected person" means:
             69          (a) a person who is a record interest holder of the real property that is the subject of a
             70      recorded nonconsensual common law document; or
             71          (b) the person against whom a recorded nonconsensual common law document
             72      purports to reflect or establish a claim or obligation.
             73          (2) "Document sponsor" means a person who, personally or through a designee, signs
             74      or submits for recording a document that is, or is alleged to be, a nonconsensual common law
             75      document.
             76          [(1)] (3) "Interest holder" means a person who holds or possesses a present, lawful
             77      property interest in certain real property, including an owner, title holder, mortgagee, trustee, or
             78      beneficial owner.
             79          [(2)] (4) "Lien claimant" means a person claiming an interest in real property who
             80      offers a document for recording or filing with any county recorder in the state asserting a lien,
             81      or notice of interest, or other claim of interest in certain real property.
             82          (5) "Nonconsensual common law document" means a document that is submitted to a
             83      county recorder's office for recording against public official property that:
             84          (a) purports to create a lien or encumbrance on or a notice of interest in the real
             85      property;
             86          (b) at the time the document is recorded, is not:
             87          (i) expressly authorized by this chapter or a state or federal statute;
             88          (ii) authorized by or contained in an order or judgment of a court of competent
             89      jurisdiction; or


             90          (iii) signed by or expressly authorized by a document signed by the owner of the real
             91      property; and
             92          (c) is submitted in relation to an action taken by a public official in the public official's
             93      capacity as a public official.
             94          [(3)] (6) "Owner" means a person who has a vested ownership interest in [certain] real
             95      property.
             96          (7) "Political subdivision" means a county, city, town, school district, special
             97      improvement or taxing district, local district, special service district, or other governmental
             98      subdivision or public corporation.
             99          (8) "Public official" means:
             100          (a) a member of the Legislature;
             101          (b) a member of Congress;
             102          (c) a judge;
             103          (d) a member of law enforcement;
             104          (e) a corrections officer;
             105          (f) an active member of the Utah State Bar;
             106          (g) an individual appointed or elected to an elected position in:
             107          (i) the executive branch of state or federal government; or
             108          (ii) a political subdivision;
             109          (h) an individual appointed to or employed in a position in a political subdivision, or
             110      state or federal government if that individual:
             111          (i) occupies a policymaking position or makes purchasing or contracting decisions;
             112          (ii) drafts legislation or makes rules;
             113          (iii) determines rates or fees; or
             114          (iv) makes adjudicative decisions; or
             115          (i) an immediate family member of a person described in Subsections (8)(a) through
             116      (h).
             117          (9) "Public official property" means real property that has at least one record interest
             118      holder who is a public official.
             119          [(4)] (10) (a) "Record interest holder" means a person who holds or possesses a
             120      present, lawful property interest in [certain] real property, including an owner, titleholder,


             121      mortgagee, trustee, or beneficial owner, and whose name and interest in that real property
             122      appears in the county recorder's records for the county in which the property is located.
             123          (b) "Record interest holder" includes any grantor in the chain of the title in [certain]
             124      real property.
             125          [(5)] (11) "Record owner" means an owner whose name and ownership interest in
             126      certain real property is recorded or filed in the county recorder's records for the county in which
             127      the property is located.
             128          [(6)] (12) "Wrongful lien" means any document that purports to create a lien, notice of
             129      interest, or encumbrance on an owner's interest in certain real property and at the time it is
             130      recorded is not:
             131          (a) expressly authorized by this chapter or another state or federal statute;
             132          (b) authorized by or contained in an order or judgment of a court of competent
             133      jurisdiction in the state; or
             134          (c) signed by or authorized pursuant to a document signed by the owner of the real
             135      property.
             136          Section 3. Section 38-9-103 , which is renumbered from Section 38-9-2 is renumbered
             137      and amended to read:
             138           [38-9-2].     38-9-103. Scope.
             139          [(1) (a) The provisions of Sections 38-9-1 , 38-9-3 , 38-9-4 , and 38-9-6 apply to any
             140      recording or filing or any rejected recording or filing of a lien pursuant to this chapter on or
             141      after May 5, 1997.]
             142          [(b) The provisions of Sections 38-9-1 and 38-9-7 apply to all liens of record regardless
             143      of the date the lien was recorded or filed.]
             144          [(c)] (1) [Notwithstanding Subsections (1)(a) and (b), the provisions of this] This
             145      chapter [applicable to the filing of a notice of interest do] does not apply to a notice of interest
             146      filed before May 5, 2008.
             147          (2) [The provisions of this chapter shall] This chapter does not [prevent a person from
             148      filing] apply to a lis pendens recorded in accordance with Section 78B-6-1303 [or] and does
             149      not prevent a person from seeking any other relief permitted by law.
             150          (3) This chapter does not apply to a person entitled to a preconstruction or construction
             151      lien under Section 38-1a-301 who files a lien pursuant to Title 38, Chapter 1a, Preconstruction


             152      and Construction Liens.
             153          Section 4. Section 38-9-201 is enacted to read:
             154     
Part 2. Recording a Wrongful Lien

             155          38-9-201. Title.
             156          This part is known as "Recording a Wrongful Lien."
             157          Section 5. Section 38-9-202 , which is renumbered from Section 38-9-3 is renumbered
             158      and amended to read:
             159           [38-9-3].     38-9-202. County recorder may reject wrongful lien within scope of
             160      employment -- Good faith requirement.
             161          (1) (a) A county recorder may [reject recording of] refuse to record a lien if the county
             162      recorder determines that the lien is a wrongful lien [as defined in Section 38-9-1 ].
             163          (b) If the county recorder [rejects a document] refuses to record a lien in accordance
             164      with Subsection (1)(a), the county recorder shall immediately return the original document
             165      together with a notice that the document was rejected pursuant to this section to the person
             166      attempting to record the document or to the address provided on the document.
             167          (2) A county recorder who, within the scope of the county recorder's employment,
             168      rejects or accepts a document for recording in good faith under this section is not liable for
             169      damages.
             170          (3) If a [rejected] document that a county recorder refuses to record under this section
             171      is later found not to be [recordable] a wrongful lien pursuant to a court order, it shall have no
             172      retroactive recording priority.
             173          (4) Nothing in this chapter [shall preclude any] precludes a person from pursuing any
             174      remedy pursuant to Utah Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 65A, Injunctions.
             175          Section 6. Section 38-9-203 , which is renumbered from Section 38-9-4 is renumbered
             176      and amended to read:
             177           [38-9-4].     38-9-203. Civil liability for recording wrongful lien -- Damages.
             178          (1) A lien claimant who records or causes a wrongful lien [as defined in Section
             179      38-9-1 ] to be recorded in the office of the county recorder against real property is liable to a
             180      record interest holder for any actual damages proximately caused by the wrongful lien.
             181          (2) If the person in violation of Subsection (1) refuses to release or correct the wrongful
             182      lien within 10 days from the date of written request from a record interest holder of the real


             183      property delivered personally or mailed to the last-known address of the lien claimant, the
             184      person is liable to that record interest holder for $3,000 or for treble actual damages, whichever
             185      is greater, and for reasonable attorney fees and costs.
             186          (3) A person is liable to the record owner of real property for $10,000 or for treble
             187      actual damages, whichever is greater, and for reasonable attorney fees and costs, who records
             188      or causes to be recorded a wrongful lien [as defined in Section 38-9-1 ] in the office of the
             189      county recorder against the real property, knowing or having reason to know that the document:
             190          (a) is a wrongful lien;
             191          (b) is groundless; or
             192          (c) contains a material misstatement or false claim.
             193          Section 7. Section 38-9-204 , which is renumbered from Section 38-9-6 is renumbered
             194      and amended to read:
             195           [38-9-6].     38-9-204. Petition to file lien -- Notice to record interest holders --
             196      Summary relief -- Contested petition.
             197          (1) A lien claimant whose document is rejected pursuant to Section [ 38-9-3 ] 38-9-202
             198      may petition the district court [in the county in which the document was rejected] for an
             199      expedited determination that the lien may be recorded [or filed].
             200          (2) [(a) The] A petition [shall be filed with the district court within 10 days of the date
             201      notice is received of the rejection and shall state with specificity the grounds why the document
             202      should lawfully be recorded or filed.] under Subsection (1) shall:
             203          (a) be filed:
             204          (i) with the district court in the county of the county recorder who refused to record the
             205      document; and
             206          (ii) within 10 days after the day on which the person who files the petition receives the
             207      notice under Subsection 38-9-202 (1)(b) of the county recorder's refusal to record the document;
             208          (b) state with specificity the grounds why the document should lawfully be recorded;
             209      and
             210          [(b) The petition shall] (c) be supported by a sworn affidavit of the lien claimant.
             211          [(c)] (3) If the court finds the petition is insufficient, it may dismiss the petition without
             212      a hearing.
             213          [(d)] (4) (a) If the court grants a hearing, the petitioner shall, by certified or registered


             214      mail, serve a copy of the petition, notice of hearing, and a copy of the court's order granting an
             215      expedited hearing on all record interest holders of the property sufficiently in advance of the
             216      hearing to enable any record interest holder to attend the hearing [and service shall be
             217      accomplished by certified or registered mail].
             218          [(e)] (b) Any record interest holder of the property has the right to attend and contest
             219      the petition.
             220          [(3)] (5) (a) [Following a hearing on the matter, if] If, following a hearing, the court
             221      finds that the document may lawfully be recorded, [it] the court shall issue an order directing
             222      the county recorder to accept the document for recording. [If the petition is contested, the court
             223      may award costs and reasonable attorney's fees to the prevailing party.]
             224          (b) If the petition is contested, the court may award costs and reasonable attorney fees
             225      to the prevailing party.
             226          [(4)] (6) (a) A summary proceeding under this section [is only to determine whether or
             227      not a contested document, on its face, shall be recorded by the county recorder. The
             228      proceeding may not determine the truth of the content of the document nor the property or legal
             229      rights of the parties beyond the necessary determination of whether or not the document shall
             230      be recorded. The court's grant or denial of the petition under this section may not restrict any
             231      other legal remedies of any party, including any right to injunctive relief pursuant to Rules of
             232      Civil Procedure, Rule 65A, Injunctions.]:
             233          (i) may only determine whether a contested document, on its face, shall be recorded by
             234      the county recorder; and
             235          (ii) may not determine the truth of the content of the document or the property or legal
             236      rights of the parties beyond the necessary determination of whether the document shall be
             237      recorded.
             238          (b) A court's grant or denial of a petition under this section may not restrict any other
             239      legal remedies of any party, including any right to injunctive relief pursuant to Rules of Civil
             240      Procedure, Rule 65A, Injunctions.
             241          [(5)] (7) If [the] a petition under this section contains a claim for damages, the
             242      [damage] proceedings related to the claim for damages may not be expedited under this
             243      section.
             244          Section 8. Section 38-9-205 , which is renumbered from Section 38-9-7 is renumbered


             245      and amended to read:
             246           [38-9-7].     38-9-205. Petition to nullify lien -- Notice to lien claimant --
             247      Summary relief -- Finding of wrongful lien -- Wrongful lien is void.
             248          (1) [Any] A record interest holder of real property against which a wrongful lien [as
             249      defined in Section 38-9-1 has been] is recorded may petition the district court in the county in
             250      which the document [was] is recorded for summary relief to nullify the wrongful lien.
             251          (2) The petition described in Subsection (1) shall state with specificity the claim that
             252      the lien is a wrongful lien and shall be supported by a sworn affidavit of the record interest
             253      holder.
             254          (3) (a) If the court finds the petition insufficient, [it] the court may dismiss the petition
             255      without a hearing.
             256          (b) If the court finds the petition is sufficient, the court shall schedule a hearing within
             257      10 days to determine whether the document is a wrongful lien.
             258          (c) The record interest holder shall serve a copy of the petition on the lien claimant and
             259      a copy of a notice of the hearing pursuant to Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4, Process.
             260          (d) The lien claimant is entitled to attend and contest the petition.
             261          (4) A summary proceeding under this section [is only to determine whether or not a
             262      document is a wrongful lien. The proceeding shall not determine any other property or legal
             263      rights of the parties nor restrict other legal remedies of any party.]:
             264          (a) may only determine whether a document is a wrongful lien; and
             265          (b) may not determine any other property or legal rights of the parties or restrict other
             266      legal remedies of any party.
             267          (5) (a) [Following a hearing on the matter, if] If, following a hearing, the court
             268      determines that the recorded document is a wrongful lien, the court shall issue an order
             269      declaring the wrongful lien void ab initio, releasing the property from the lien, and awarding
             270      costs and reasonable [attorney's] attorney fees to the petitioner.
             271          (b) (i) The record interest holder may [record] submit a certified copy of the order
             272      [with] to the county recorder for recording.
             273          (ii) The order shall contain a legal description of the real property.
             274          (c) If the court determines that the claim of lien is valid, the court shall dismiss the
             275      petition and may award costs and reasonable attorney's fees to the lien claimant. The dismissal


             276      order shall contain a legal description of the real property. The prevailing lien claimant may
             277      record a certified copy of the dismissal order.
             278          (6) If the [district] court determines that the [lien] recorded document is a wrongful
             279      lien [as defined in Section 38-9-1 ], the wrongful lien is void ab initio and provides no notice of
             280      claim or interest.
             281          (7) If [the] a petition under this section contains a claim for damages, the [damage]
             282      proceedings related to the claim for damages may not be expedited under this section.
             283          Section 9. Section 38-9-301 is enacted to read:
             284     
Part 3. Recording a Nonconsensual Common Law Document

             285          38-9-301. Title.
             286          This part is known as "Recording a Nonconsensual Common Law Document."
             287          Section 10. Section 38-9-302 is enacted to read:
             288          38-9-302. Recording a nonconsensual common law document -- Procedure.
             289          (1) For a nonconsensual common law document recorded on or after May 13, 2014,
             290      within five business days after the day on which an individual submits a nonconsensual
             291      common law document to a county recorder for recording, the individual shall cause the sheriff
             292      to serve written notice of the recording of the nonconsensual common law document upon each
             293      affected person.
             294          (2) A written notice described in Subsection (1) shall include:
             295          (a) the name, address, and telephone number of the document sponsor;
             296          (b) the date the nonconsensual common law document was recorded; and
             297          (c) a copy of the nonconsensual common law document.
             298          (3) (a) No later than three business days after the day on which the sheriff serves the
             299      written notice described in Subsection (1), the sheriff shall submit proof of service to the
             300      county recorder for recording.
             301          (b) The county recorder may not charge a fee for recording a proof of service under
             302      Subsection (2)(a).
             303          Section 11. Section 38-9-303 is enacted to read:
             304          38-9-303. Enforcement proceeding required.
             305          (1) For a nonconsensual common law document recorded on or after May 13, 2014,
             306      within 10 business days after the day on which a document sponsor submits a nonconsensual


             307      common law document to the county recorder for recording, the document sponsor shall file a
             308      complaint in district court in the county of the county recorder where the nonconsensual
             309      common law document was recorded for a proceeding to obtain an order that the
             310      nonconsensual common law document is valid and enforceable.
             311          (2) A complaint to initiate a judicial proceeding described in Subsection (1) shall:
             312          (a) state with specificity the grounds that make the nonconsensual common law
             313      document valid and enforceable;
             314          (b) be supported by the document sponsor's sworn affidavit; and
             315          (c) name each affected person as an opposing party.
             316          (3) If the court finds that a complaint filed under Subsection (1) does not meet the
             317      requirements described in Subsection (2), the court may dismiss the complaint without a
             318      hearing.
             319          (4) If a complaint filed under Subsection (1) meets the requirements described in
             320      Subsection (2), the court:
             321          (a) shall hold a hearing;
             322          (b) following the hearing, shall issue an order that:
             323          (i) states whether the nonconsensual common law document is valid and enforceable;
             324      and
             325          (ii) includes a legal description of the real property that is the subject of the complaint;
             326      and
             327          (c) may award costs and reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party.
             328          (5) Within three business days after the day on which the court issues a final order in a
             329      proceeding under this section, the prevailing party shall submit a copy of the court's final order
             330      to the county recorder for recording.
             331          (6) A nonconsensual common law document is presumed invalid and unenforceable.
             332          (7) A person's lack of belief in the jurisdiction or authority of the state or of the
             333      government of the United States is not a defense to liability under this section.
             334          (8) A court's order in a proceeding under this section does not restrict any other legal
             335      remedies available to any party, including any right to injunctive relief under Rules of Civil
             336      Procedure, Rule 65A, Injunctions.
             337          Section 12. Section 38-9-304 is enacted to read:


             338          38-9-304. Civil liability -- Damages.
             339          (1) If, under Section 38-9-303 , a court finds that a recorded nonconsensual common
             340      law document is unenforceable, the document sponsor of the nonconsensual common law
             341      document is liable to each affected person for any actual damages proximately caused by
             342      recording the nonconsensual common law document, costs, and reasonable attorney fees.
             343          (2) A person who is liable under Subsection (1) for a nonconsensual common law
             344      document is jointly and severally liable with each other person who is liable for the
             345      nonconsensual common law document.
             346          Section 13. Section 38-9-305 is enacted to read:
             347          38-9-305. Failure to comply -- Nonconsensual common law document void.
             348          A recorded nonconsensual common law document that is recorded on or after May 13,
             349      2014, is void and has no legal effect if the document sponsor does not:
             350          (1) comply with the notice requirements described in Section 38-9-302 ;
             351          (2) comply with the judicial enforcement requirements described in Section 38-9-303 ;
             352      and
             353          (3) prevail in a judicial enforcement proceeding under Section 38-9-303 .
             354          Section 14. Section 38-9a-102 is amended to read:
             355           38-9a-102. Definitions.
             356          As used in this chapter, "wrongful lien" refers to a lien made in violation of Section
             357      76-6-503.5 , and includes [an instrument or document as defined in Section 38-9-1 .]:
             358          (1) a wrongful lien as defined in Section 38-9-102; and
             359          (2) a nonconsensual common law document as defined in Section 38-9-102 .
             360          Section 15. Section 76-6-503.5 is amended to read:
             361           76-6-503.5. Wrongful liens and fraudulent handling of recordable writings --
             362      Penalties.
             363          (1) "Lien" means:
             364          (a) an instrument or document filed pursuant to Section 70A-9a-516 ;
             365          (b) a nonconsensual common law document as defined in Section 38-9-102 ;
             366          [(b)] (c) [an instrument or document described in Subsection 38-9-1 (6); and] a
             367      wrongful lien as defined in Section 38-9-102 ; or
             368          [(c)] (d) any instrument or document that creates or purports to create a lien or


             369      encumbrance on an owner's interest in real or personal property or a claim on another's assets.
             370          (2) A person is guilty of the crime of wrongful lien if that person knowingly makes,
             371      utters, records, or files a lien:
             372          (a) having no objectively reasonable basis to believe he has a present and lawful
             373      property interest in the property or a claim on the assets; or
             374          (b) if the person files the lien in violation of a civil wrongful lien injunction pursuant to
             375      Title 38, Chapter 9a, Wrongful Lien Injunctions.
             376          (3) A violation of this section is a third degree felony unless the person has been
             377      previously convicted of an offense under this section, in which case the violation is a second
             378      degree felony.
             379          (4) (a) Any person who with intent to deceive or injure anyone falsifies, destroys,
             380      removes, records, or conceals any will, deed, mortgage, security instrument, lien, or other
             381      writing for which the law provides public recording is guilty of fraudulent handling of
             382      recordable writings.
             383          (b) A violation of Subsection (4)(a) is a third degree felony unless the person has been
             384      previously convicted of an offense under this section, in which case the violation is a second
             385      degree felony.
             386          (5) This section does not prohibit prosecution for any act in violation of Section
             387      76-8-414 or for any offense greater than an offense under this section.
             388          Section 16. Section 78B-5-201 is amended to read:
             389           78B-5-201. Definitions -- Judgment recorded in Registry of Judgments.
             390          (1) For purposes of this part, "Registry of Judgments" means the index where a
             391      judgment is filed and searchable by the name of the judgment debtor through electronic means
             392      or by tangible document.
             393          (2) On or after July 1, 1997, a judgment entered in a district court does not create a lien
             394      upon or affect the title to real property unless the judgment is filed in the Registry of Judgments
             395      of the office of the clerk of the district court of the county in which the property is located.
             396          (3) (a) On or after July 1, 2002, except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), a judgment
             397      entered in a district court does not create a lien upon or affect the title to real property unless
             398      the judgment or an abstract of judgment is recorded in the office of the county recorder in
             399      which the real property of the judgment debtor is located.


             400          (b) State agencies are exempt from the recording requirement of Subsection (3)(a).
             401          (4) In addition to the requirements of Subsections (2) and (3)(a), any judgment that is
             402      filed in the Registry of Judgments on or after September 1, 1998, or any judgment or abstract
             403      of judgment that is recorded in the office of a county recorder after July 1, 2002, shall include:
             404          (a) the information identifying the judgment debtor on the judgment or abstract of
             405      judgment; or
             406          (b) a copy of the separate information statement of the judgment creditor that contains:
             407          (i) the correct name and last-known address of each judgment debtor and the address at
             408      which each judgment debtor received service of process;
             409          (ii) the name and address of the judgment creditor;
             410          (iii) the amount of the judgment as filed in the Registry of Judgments;
             411          (iv) if known, the judgment debtor's Social Security number, date of birth, and driver's
             412      license number if a natural person; and
             413          (v) whether or not a stay of enforcement has been ordered by the court and the date the
             414      stay expires.
             415          (5) For the information required in Subsection (4), the judgment creditor shall:
             416          (a) provide the information on the separate information statement if known or available
             417      to the judgment creditor from its records, its attorney's records, or the court records in the
             418      action in which the judgement was entered; or
             419          (b) state on the separate information statement that the information is unknown or
             420      unavailable.
             421          (6) (a) Any judgment that requires payment of money and is entered in a district court
             422      on or after September 1, 1998, or any judgment or abstract of judgment recorded in the office
             423      of a county recorder after July 1, 2002, that does not include the debtor identifying information
             424      as required in Subsection (4) is not a lien until a separate information statement of the
             425      judgment creditor is recorded in the office of a county recorder in compliance with Subsections
             426      (4) and (5).
             427          (b) The separate information statement of the judgment creditor referred to in
             428      Subsection (6)(a) shall include:
             429          (i) the name of any judgment creditor, debtor, assignor, or assignee;
             430          (ii) the date on which the judgment was recorded in the office of the county recorder as


             431      described in Subsection (4); and
             432          (iii) the county recorder's entry number and book and page of the recorded judgment.
             433          (7) A judgment that requires payment of money recorded on or after September 1,
             434      1998, but prior to July 1, 2002, has as its priority the date of entry, except as to parties with
             435      actual or constructive knowledge of the judgment.
             436          (8) A judgment or notice of judgment wrongfully filed against real property is subject
             437      to Title 38, Chapter 9, Wrongful [Liens and Wrongful Judgment Liens] Lien Act.
             438          (9) (a) To release, assign, renew, or extend a lien created by a judgment recorded in the
             439      office of a county recorder, a person shall, in the office of the county recorder of each county in
             440      which an instrument creating the lien is recorded, record a document releasing, assigning,
             441      renewing, or extending the lien.
             442          (b) The document described in Subsection (9)(a) shall include:
             443          (i) the date of the release, assignment, renewal, or extension;
             444          (ii) the name of any judgment creditor, debtor, assignor, or assignee; and
             445          (iii) for the county in which the document is recorded in accordance with Subsection
             446      (9)(a):
             447          (A) the date on which the instrument creating the lien was recorded in that county's
             448      office of the county recorder; and
             449          (B) in accordance with Section 57-3-106 , that county recorder's entry number and book
             450      and page of the recorded instrument creating the judgment lien.
             451          Section 17. Section 78B-5-408 is amended to read:
             452           78B-5-408. Judgments and awards on foreign-money claims -- Time of money
             453      conversion -- Form of judgment.
             454          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (3), a judgment or arbitration award on a
             455      foreign-money claim must be stated in an amount of the money of the claim.
             456          (2) The judgment or award is payable in that foreign money or at the option of the
             457      debtor in the amount of United States dollars which will purchase that foreign money on the
             458      conversion date at a bank-offered spot rate.
             459          (3) Assessed costs must be entered in United States dollars.
             460          (4) Each payment in United States dollars must be accepted and credited on the
             461      judgment or award in the amount of the foreign money that could be purchased by the dollars at


             462      a bank-offered spot rate of exchange at or near the close of business on the conversion date for
             463      that payment.
             464          (5) Judgments or awards made in an action on both:
             465          (a) a defense, set-off, recoupment, or counterclaim; and
             466          (b) the adverse party's claim, must be netted by converting the money of the smaller
             467      into the money of the larger, and by subtracting the smaller from the larger, and must specify
             468      the rates of exchange used.
             469          (6) A judgment substantially in the following form complies with Subsection (1):
             470          IT IS ADJUDGED AND ORDERED that Defendant (insert name) pay to Plaintiff
             471      (insert name) the sum of (insert amount in the foreign money) plus interest on that sum at the
             472      rate of (insert rate - see Section 78B-5-410 ) percent a year or, at the option of the judgment
             473      debtor, the number of United States dollars as will purchase the (insert name of foreign money)
             474      with interest due, at a bank-offered spot rate at or near the close of business on the banking day
             475      next before the day of payment, together with assessed costs of (insert amount) United States
             476      dollars.
             477          (7) If a contract claim is of the type covered by Subsection 78B-5-406 (1) or (2), the
             478      judgment or award shall be entered for the amount of the money stated to measure the
             479      obligation to be paid in the money specified for payment or, at the option of the debtor, the
             480      number of United States dollars as will purchase the computed amount of the money of
             481      payment on the conversion date at a bank-offered spot rate.
             482          (8) A judgment shall be filed in the judgment docket and indexed in foreign money in
             483      the same manner, and shall have the same effect as a lien as other judgments. It may be
             484      discharged by payment.
             485          (9) A person shall record a judgment lien, or assignment, release, renewal, or extension
             486      of a judgment lien, in the county recorder's office in accordance with [Sections 17-21-10 ,
             487      38-9-1 , 78B-5-201 , and 78B-5-202 .] the following provisions, as applicable:
             488          (a) Sections 17-21-10 , 78B-5-201 , and 78B-5-202 ; and
             489          (b) Title 38, Chapter 9, Wrongful Lien Act.





Legislative Review Note
    as of 11-8-13 2:44 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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