Georgia § 44-5-167 - Extent of constructive possession under deed; judicial notice.

§ 44-5-167. Extent of constructive possession under deed; judicial notice.

Possession under a duly recorded deed shall be construed to extend to all the contiguous property embraced in such deed. To the extent that any such property is bounded on one or more sides by a railroad, and the description of the property contained in such deed makes reference to the railroad or the railroad right of way as a boundary for such property, such reference shall be construed to mean that the boundary line is located at the edge of the tract depicted on the official map of the railroad filed with the Interstate Commerce Commission pursuant to the Railroad Valuation Act of March 1, 1913, Stat. 701, as amended, and such depictions contained on such official railroad map shall be conclusive as to the location of the boundary line between the property of the railroad and any adjoining property owner as of the date of such railroad map; provided, however, that each railroad corporation and railroad company shall file and record such official map of the railroad with the superior court for the county in which such land depicted on such official railroad map is situated. Any court of this state shall take judicial notice of the information set forth in any such official map properly filed and recorded by such railroad corporation or railroad company. (Civil Code 1895, § 3587; Civil Code 1910, § 4167; Code 1933, § 85-405; Ga. L. 2008, p. 210, § 6/HB 1283.) The 2008 amendment, effective July 1, 2008, in the first sentence substituted "shall" for "will", substituted "such" for "the", and added the last two sentences. History of section. - This Code section is derived from the decisions in Griffin v. Lee, 90 Ga. 224 , 15 S.E. 810 (1892) and Johnson v. Simerly, 90 Ga. 612 , 16 S.E. 951 (1892). Editor's notes. - Ga. L. 2008, p. 210, § 1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: "(a) The General Assembly finds that the railroads and their rights of way in Georgia: "(1) Are essential to the continued viability of this state; "(2) Are valuable resources which must be preserved and protected; "(3) Are essential for the economic growth and development of this state; "(4) Provide a necessary means of transporting raw materials, agricultural products, other finished products, and consumer goods and are also essential for the safe passage of hazardous materials; "(5) Relieve congestion on the highways and keep dangerous products and materials off our highways; "(6) Are vital for national defense and national security; and "(7) Provide the most energy efficient means of transportation through this state, thus minimizing air pollution and fuel consumption. "(b) The purpose of this Act is to protect the rights of way of railroads from loss by claims of adverse possession or other claims by prescription and to recognize the dimensions of these rights of way as they were identified and defined nearly 100 years ago." Law reviews. - For survey article on real property law, see 60 Mercer L. Rev. 345 (2008). For survey article on zoning and land use law, see 60 Mercer L. Rev. 457 (2008). For comment on Campbell v. Gregory, 200 Ga. 684 , 38 S.E.2d 295 (1946), see 9 Ga. B.J. 204 (1946).