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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 19, 2014 11:00 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Neal P. Goodman |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Tax Liens on Abandoned and Blighted Property |
| I will be re-introducing legislation (previous HB 1312) regarding an issue that has prevented many communities from addressing abandoned and blighted properties in their neighborhoods. This issue arises when tax liens have been filed against these properties by the local taxing districts. It has been brought to my attention by local officials that in many instances when an abandoned/blighted property has been targeted for demolition - either by a municipality or a concerned citizen willing to pay for it - the demolition is prevented from going forward because at least one of the three taxing jurisdictions (municipality, county, school district) has a lien on the property it refuses to drop. Local officials tell me in most cases they can get two out of the three to drop the tax liens, but it only takes one refusal to stop the entire project. Without the final tax lien satisfied, these properties fall deeper into disrepair. In cases where two of the three taxing jurisdictions agree to drop their tax liens, my legislation would allow one of these jurisdictions to petition the Court of Common Pleas to extinguish the third lien so that demolition of the abandoned/blighted property can proceed. My bill would also provide for payment of court costs upon petition of the court. |
Introduced as HB386