Counties and Fishhawk Lake residents clash at public hearing over bill on HOA dues for county‑owned foreclosures

The Senate Committee on Housing and Development held a public hearing May 19 on House Bill 35‑45 A, a bill that would make homeowner and condominium association assessments begin to accrue as a lien from the date a county takes deed to a tax‑foreclosed property and require the lien to be paid by a future private purchaser; if a county retains or leases the property, the county would be responsible to clear the lien.

Representative Cyrus Javidy, sponsor of HB 35‑45, told the committee the measure is intended to close a statutory gap that leaves counties uncertain about when HOA dues begin and who must pay them after tax foreclosure. “This bill addresses a gap in statute that’s related to properties that are deeded to a county through the tax foreclosure,” Javidy said, describing the bill’s mechanics: start date on the date the county receives deed, an end date the day the county transfers, leases, or permanently retains the property, limits on lienable items and notice requirements for associations.

Clatsop County officials described a specific local problem tied to the Fishhawk Lake community. Heidi Tandy, Clatsop County director of assessment and taxation, said the county holds two tax‑foreclosed lots in Fishhawk…