Editorial

ed in Lee County for two years after which Mr Karnes will make a recommendation to legislators whether the program that allows clerks to require specific identification should be expanded statewide

The pilot program, among the provisions of HB 1419, was recently passed unanimously by both the State House and Senate and signed by Gov Ron DeSantis

Mr Karnes said that the law gives the Lee County Clerk’s Office the ability to require government-issued IDs from anyone who records a deed before that deed is processed

“We can turn over that information to law enforcement and do a better investigation,” he said in an interview with The Breeze “It gives law enforcement a starting point ”

A government-issued ID will provide a photograph of all parties on the deed with an address and name, which Mr Karnes said will allow law enforcement to better follow the path back to those who fraudulently transfer ownership of properties

Previously, the Clerk’s Office was required