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Committee advances bill to let municipalities act on long-unoccupied buildings
Summary
The Local and County Government Committee advanced Senate Bill 400 to add an "unoccupied" category to statutes now limited to "abandoned" buildings, after debate over notice periods and property‑owner protections; the measure passed on a 9-0 vote.
Senator Coleman, sponsor of Senate Bill 400, told the Local and County Government Committee that the bill responds to a request from the city of Ponca City to give municipalities authority to address buildings that are unoccupied but not abandoned.
"The beauty shop continues to get cockroaches from the abandoned building that is unoccupied," Senator Coleman said, describing a single property in Ponca City that has been vacant for about 20 to 30 years. He said the owner continues to pay property taxes but has not maintained the building.
The bill would add an "unoccupied" definition to the existing statutory framework that lets municipalities address abandoned properties, and includes notice and enforcement procedures. Coleman said the goal is to target the most severe cases: buildings left vacant for decades and causing blight or public‑health concerns.
Committee members questioned several provisions. Senator Saccheri asked whether the 10‑day notice period on page 9 was sufficient, noting owners may live out of state. "Are you willing to work on that 10 day notice? I feel like 10 days just isn't a sufficient amount of time to notify someone," Saccheri said. Coleman said he would work with the chair to revise timing and other details.
Committee members also discussed how the bill would differ from existing code‑enforcement and nuisance statutes and whether proof of insurance or payment of taxes should affect the classification. Senator Goodwin asked whether continued tax or insurance payments should affect a finding of "unoccupied." Coleman replied that taxes can be checked but said he was not certain whether municipalities could require proof of insurance.
Several senators signaled support while urging changes. Senator Stanley said he has dealt with abandoned retail property and supported further work on the bill; others stressed guards for due process for property owners who are current on taxes. Coleman said he expected substantial changes while working with the committee chair.
The committee recorded a voice roll call after debate. The clerk reported nine ayes and zero nays; the chair declared Senate Bill 400 advanced.
The measure will return for further drafting and committee work before any floor consideration.
