§ 36-9-501 — Filing office.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), if the local law of this State governs perfection of a security interest or agricultural lien, the office in which to file a financing statement to perfect the security interest or agricultural lien is: (1) the office designated for the filing or recording of a record of a mortgage on the related real property, if: (A) the collateral is as-extracted collateral or timber to be cut; or (B) the financing statement is filed as a fixture filing and the collateral is goods that are or are to become fixtures; or (2) the office of the Secretary of State or any office duly authorized by the Secretary of State, in all other cases, including a case in which the collateral is goods that are or are to become fixtures and the financing statement is not filed as a fixture filing. (b) The office in which to file a financing statement to perfect a security interest in collateral, including fixtures, of a transmitting utility is the office of the Secretary of State. The financing statement also constitutes a fixture filing as to the collateral indicated in the financing statement which is or is to become fixtures. (c) A person may not knowingly or intentionally file with the filing office as provided in subsections (a) or (b) a false or fraudulent financing statement or a financing statement filed for the purpose of hindering, harassing, or wrongfully interfering with another person or entity. In addition to another penalty provided by law, a violation of this subsection is a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than five years or a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars, or both. If the person is convicted of the violation, the court may find that the financing statement is ineffective, may order the filing office to terminate or purge the financing statement, and may order restitution to an aggrieved party. (d) If a person files with the filing office pursuant to subsections(a) or (b) a false or fraudulent financing statement or a financing statement filed for the purpose of hindering, harassing, or wrongfully interfering with another person or entity, a debtor named in that financing statement may file an action against the person that filed the financing statement seeking appropriate equitable relief or damages including, but not limited to, an order declaring the financing statement ineffective, ordering the filing office to terminate or purge the financing statement, and awarding reasonable attorney fees.

Legislative History

HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 10.9-501; 1966 (54) 2716; 1988 Act No. 494, SECTION 5; 2001 Act No. 67, SECTION 12; 2005 Act No. 161, SECTION 37.A, eff upon approval (became law without the Governor's signature on June 9, 2005). Effect of Amendment The 2005 amendment added subsection (c) and (d) relating to fraudulent financing statements.