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Senate committee debates SB600 to strengthen heirs‑property protections; testimony split between advocates and investors
Summary
Senate Bill 600 would increase notice, ad litem appointments, settlement conferences and valuation protections for heirs' property; proponents said the bill will protect vulnerable families from predatory partition sales while opponents warned parts risk constitutional takings and slow lawful transfers. The committee left the bill pending.
The Committee on Business & Commerce heard debate and public testimony on Senate Bill 600, a measure intended to strengthen due‑process protections for heirs’ property and to reduce predatory partition sales.
SB600, carried by Senator Sarah West, would require expanded notice to known co‑owners, permit posting of signs on property, require courts to appoint an attorney ad litem to attempt to locate unknown heirs, allow either party to request a settlement conference, and include provisions intended to ensure property sales occur at fair‑market value if partition results in sale. The committee heard opposing and supporting testimony and left the bill pending.
Why this matters: “Heirs’ property” refers to land owned jointly by descendants who inherited fractional, undivided interests. Advocates say the structure leaves families vulnerable to investors who buy small fractional interests and then force a partition sale; opponents say some proposed restrictions…
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