To repeal section 141.550, RSMo 1994, relating to delinquent taxes, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to the same subject.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI,

AS FOLLOWS:

Section A. Section 141.550, RSMo 1994, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 141.550, to read as follows:

141.550. 1. The sale shall be conducted, the sheriff's return thereof made, and the sheriff's deed pursuant to the sale executed, all as provided in the case of sales of real estate taken under execution except as otherwise provided in sections 141.210 to 141.810, and provided that such sale need not occur during the term of court or while the court is in session.

2. The sale shall be held on the day for which it is advertised, between the hours of nine o'clock a.m. and five o'clock p.m. and continued day to day thereafter to satisfy the judgment as to each respective parcel of real estate sold.

3. The sale shall be conducted publicly, by auction, for ready money. The highest bidder shall be the purchaser unless the highest bid is less than the full amount of all tax bills included in the judgment, interest, penalties, attorney's fees and costs then due thereon. No person shall be eligible to bid at the time of the sale if that person is the owner of any parcel of real estate in the county which is affected by a delinquent tax bill, except that an owner of a parcel of real estate being sold may bid upon it.

[2.] 4. Such sale shall convey the whole interest of every person having or claiming any right, title or interest in or lien upon such real estate, whether such person has answered or not, subject to rights-of-way thereon of public utilities upon which tax has been otherwise paid, and subject to the lien thereon, if any, of the United States of America.

[3.] 5. The collector shall advance the sums necessary to pay for the publication of all advertisements required by sections 141.210 to 141.810 and shall be allowed credit therefor in his accounts with the county. He shall give credit in such accounts for all such advances recovered by him. Such expenses of publication shall be apportioned pro rata among and taxed as costs against the respective parcels of real estate described in the judgment; provided, however, that none of the costs herein enumerated, including the costs of publication, shall constitute any lien upon the real estate after such sale.