Lawmakers hear competing views on bills to implement Tyler decision; Treasury urged to speed surplus claims

The House Committee on Revenue heard Jan. 30 from a wide range of stakeholders on several bills intended to implement the U.S. Supreme Court’s Tyler v. Hennepin County decision and to create a clear process for handling surplus proceeds from tax foreclosures.

Representative Emerson Levy, sponsor of the principal bill, told the committee the work group he convened focused on two goals: establish a clear process for collecting surplus funds and create a pathway for certain creditor claims, including child support and restitution. “We will have forthcoming amendments but there are two objectives of this work group,” Representative Emerson Levy said.

Multiple witnesses — including Claudia Chobanu, trust property director for the Oregon State Treasury — urged the bills to direct counties to report surplus funds to Treasury on an accelerated schedule rather than once a year. Chobanu…