General Info

Omaha, NE--Diane L. Battiato, Douglas County register of deeds, recently returned from the National Association of County Recorders, Election Officials and Clerks ( NACRC ) Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.NACRC members convened for sessions about the latest topics affecting land records, records management, court administration, clerk to board, vital statistics, and elections administration. Attendees discussed legal and privacy aspects of social media and participated in roundtable discussions about various topics."This meeting gives attendees an opportunity to learn from fellow county officials across the United States and provides a forum to share innovative ideas and practices, and discuss policy, " Battiato said.One of the discussion groups focused on the growing use of electronic recording, commonly known as e-recording. Through e-recording, a business or individual can file documents electronically, via the Internet. Battiato was instrumental in bringing the process to Douglas County in 2009 ; her office was the first to e-record in Nebraska. Since then, at least 19 more Nebraska counties have begun to e-record.NACRC, founded in 1949, is a professional organization of elected and appointed county administration officials who network nationally to share information and ideas. The association provides continuing education, technology updates and a stronger voice on federal legislative issues. NACRC is an affiliate of NACo.Omaha, NE--Douglas County Register of Deeds Diane Battiato has been awarded a certificate of achievement from the NACO Institute of Excellence. The institute offers a year-long program of professional development for Nebraska county officials that is designed and conducted by the University of Nebraska."This was a worthwhile, rewarding experience, " said Battiato. "The program is tailor-made to target the skills, tools and needs that Nebraska county officials have identified as important to their work and professional development. I am confident that this program will enable me to handle the major issues that I, and my colleagues, face today."The NACO Institute of Excellence program consists of five seminars spaced throughout the year, from March through December.Douglas County Register of Deeds Makes History ; The Office is the First to E-Record in NebraskaOmaha, NE--If you asked Diane Battiato what word in the nation's IT dictionary caused her the most mental anguish in recent years, she would reply, with little hesitation, "e-recording." Battiato, who is Douglas County, NE, register of deeds, came into office more than five years ago. One of her goals, she says, was to move the office forward, technologically. E-recording was near the top of her to-do list, but seemingly, unattainable. E-recording, formally known as electronic recording, is the process of submitting, receiving and processing documents for recording via the Internet. E-recording can be done by individuals, or companies."Not being able to e-record was unfathomable. Hundreds of counties around the nation were e-recording, but not a single county in Nebraska, " Battiato says. "After a while, e-recording became the brass ring for me. I wanted it for our users, for Nebraska. It simply did not make sense that we weren't using this amazing piece of technology."According to Battiato, previous attempts to get the e-record ball rolling had failed. She believes that, in large part, the Nebraska counties were hesitant to e-record because of uncertainty regarding the legality of e-recording in the state, even though UETA ( Uniform Electronic Transmission Acts ) had been passed by the legislature in 2000.