Senate committee hears testimony on bill requiring signed owner notice before political subdivisions remove property

Senate Bill 2240 would require political subdivisions to take additional steps to notify a property owner before removing personal property from real property, including obtaining a signed acknowledgement or other verified contact, the bill’s sponsor said during a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Senator Mike Wabamaw, the bill sponsor, told the committee the measure responds to constituent complaints that municipalities sometimes remove or dispose of items from properties after leaving a notice on a door. “What is in question is how they go about doing that,” Senator Wabamaw said, arguing the bill would ensure “positive contact and affirmation” that the owner received notice before the subdivision proceeds.

Supporters — including John Ertel of Arista — said the bill aims to preserve due process by ensuring property owners have notice and…