JEFFERSON CITY—The governor recently signed into law legislation filed by Sen. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa, to make information regarding tax assessments more readily available to prospective home buyers.

Senate Bill 248 requires the county or city clerk of the local governing body creating a Neighborhood Improvement District (NID) to file a notice with the recorder of deeds where the land or house is located.

Neighborhood Improvement Districts are created in communities where residents wish to improve public facilities like sidewalks, parks or streetlights. The improvements are paid for by a special tax assessment on property owners in the area of the project.

The problem, said Sen. Wasson, is these projects can take a while to complete, and in that time, residents may sell their homes. New buyers are then unaware they’re purchasing a home with an assessment, or, in some cases, even a lien, for NID projects.

“If a lien is filed against a home for a NID assessment, that information isn’t currently available on a title search. I’ve heard from many constituents, especially in the Rogersville area, who purchased a new home only to find out much later that a substantial lien was placed against it,” said Sen. Wasson. “This bill simply makes that information more readily available so homebuyers know exactly what they’re getting into.”

The legislation also extends county collectors’ current authority in selling real estate to collect delinquent property taxes to include debt from special assessments, among other provisions.

Senate Bill 248 becomes effective on Aug. 28.

The governor also signed into law House Bill 117, legislation carried by Sen. Wasson in the Missouri Senate that strengthens the laws protecting citizens from fraud and abuse in the initiative petition and referendum process.

Under the bill, petition circulators must affirm they’ve never been found guilty of an offense involving forgery, are at least 18 years old, whether they are being paid to circulate the petitions and if they are, who is paying them. It also strengthens the laws for falsifying signatures and requires the Secretary of State to post the full text of the petition within two days of receiving such a petition, among other provisions.

“As chairman of the Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections Committee, I’ve heard numerous stories of abuse within the initiative petition process,” said Sen. Wasson. “This bill creates a number of protections to prevent fraud and also clarifies the Secretary of State’s role to ensure the initiative petition process remains a democratic tool for involved citizens.”

House Bill 117 will take effect on Aug. 28.

For more information on Sen. Wasson’s sponsored legislation, visit his Missouri Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/wasson.