HCS/SCS/SB 295 - This act modifies the provisions of the delinquent tax collection laws concerning the sale of lands pursuant to such collections.

The act extends the collection laws to include mineral rights and royalty interests with the scope of items subject to sale to discharge a tax lien.

The act removes the provisions that allow partial sales of land to satisfy taxes.

The act reduces the time that the Treasurer must hold the proceeds from the sale on behalf of absent owners from seven to three years. Where there is no trustee in a county or if there is a trustee that has not taken the property after a third offering of sale where no sale occurred, the collector may then sell property at any time and for any amount.

The act removes the requirement that the collector notify the person entitled to any excess funds from the sale.

Concerning the duty of a purchaser of delinquent property to record the purchase, this act modifies that provision to require recording within two years instead of the current four year requirement.

The act reduces the redemption time for receiving land purchased at a sale from two years to one.

The act extends the Collector's fees to include a title search fee, and allows the collector to charge for the recording fee. When a collector charges for the recording fee he or she is responsible for recording the deed.

The act modifies the provisions concerning the rights of subsequent purchasers where a primary purchaser has caused taxes on the property to become delinquent. In such case, the first purchaser will forfeit all liens on such property.
JEFF CRAVER