WEST virginia Legislature

2017 regular session

Introduced

House Bill 2952

By Delegate Rowe

[Introduced March 13, 2017; Referred
to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then Finance.]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia,1931, as amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §11A-3-2a, relating to the right of municipalities and counties to buy real estate for delinquent taxes.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §11A-3-2a, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 3. SALE OF TAX LIENS AND NONENTERED, ESCHEATED AND WASTE AND UNAPPROPRIATED LANDS.

§11A-3-2a. Purchase by municipalities and counties of delinquent lands.

(a) The sheriff shall give specific notice to municipalities and the county commission of any real property in their jurisdictions with delinquent taxes for which a tax sale is eminent.  Within thirty days of such notice, the respective municipality or county may purchase the real property for the taxes, interest and charges due thereon only subject to the property owner’s rights of redemption.

(b) If a sale is made to a private purchaser notwithstanding a lack of response to the notice of sale to the municipality or county, the municipality or county may purchase the property within thirty days of the sale to the private purchaser if they reimburse the private purchaser all payments made for his or her purchase within ten days of the date the municipality or county purchases the property.

(c) The provisions of this section do not affect the right of the original property owner to redeem his or her property.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to create the  right of municipalities and counties to buy real estate for delinquent taxes.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.