(1) In this section, "paper document" means a document that is received by the recording officer in a form that is not electronic.

     (2) A recording officer:

     (a) Who performs any of the functions listed in this section shall do so in compliance with the rules adopted by the secretary of state for the electronic recording of documents;

     (b) May receive, index, store, archive, and transmit electronic documents;

     (c) May provide for access to, and for search and retrieval of, documents and information by electronic means;

     (d) Who accepts electronic documents for recording shall continue to accept paper documents as authorized by state law and shall place entries for both types of documents in the same index;

     (e) May convert paper documents accepted for recording into electronic form;

     (f) May convert information previously recorded into electronic form;

     (g) May, after receiving approval pursuant to RCW 36.29.190, accept electronically any fee or tax that the recording officer is authorized to collect;

     (h) May agree with other officials of a state, or a political subdivision thereof, or of the United States, on procedures or processes to facilitate the electronic satisfaction of prior approvals and conditions precedent to recording and the electronic payment of fees or taxes.

[2008 c 57 § 4.]