Relating to: prohibiting filing or recording contracts for services or materials that do not improve real estate and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 157 prohibits recording or filing contracts for services or materials that do not improve real estate and create property claims (like liens). It directly affects contractors, service providers, and property owners who might improperly tie non-improvement services (e.g., general cleaning or repairs not tied to property enhancement) to real estate. The bill requires county registers of deeds to reject such contracts and bans filing them, with exceptions for mortgages, homeowners associations, leases, and existing lien laws. Violators face civil lawsuits by affected property owners or fines up to $10,000.