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Committee reports bill to define squatting, streamline removal of unauthorized occupants
Summary
The Judiciary Committee reported House Bill 10 favorably after sponsors said the measure would define "squatter," clarify covered real property and align penalties with existing criminal mischief statutes; the committee voted to recommend passage.
House Bill 10, described by sponsors as a measure to address unauthorized occupants of private property, was reported favorably out of the Judiciary Committee on a voice and roll-call vote.
Representative Emily Calloway, who presented the bill on behalf of sponsors Representative Mary Anne Proctor and Representative Wood, told the committee, “we're bringing this bill as squatting has become a big problem here in the Commonwealth.” Calloway said the bill covers “real property includes home, your barns, your sheds, vacant property, farm property, railroads, commercial” and would create a streamlined process to remove unauthorized occupants and list penalties for squatters.
The bill adds a statutory definition of “squatter” in the referenced KRS section cited during the hearing and preserves existing penalty thresholds tied to criminal mischief provisions. As presented, Calloway said the bill retains the current approach to criminal mischief: damages of $500 or less remain classified consistent with existing misdemeanor provisions and damage of $500 or more is treated consistent with a class D felony under the state's criminal-mischief framework.
Senator Wheeler moved to report the bill favorably, with Senator Neimis seconding. During the roll call the committee recorded aye votes from Senator Carroll, Senator Deneen, Senator Neal, Senator Neimis, Senator Reid, Senator Stivers, Senator Thomas, Senator Wheeler and Chair Storm. The committee chair announced, “House bill 10 is reported favorably with the expression the same should pass.”
The committee did not take additional amendments during the session. The bill now proceeds according to the legislative calendar as a committee recommendation that the House bill should pass.
Votes at a glance: Motion to report House Bill 10 favorably — moved by Senator Wheeler; seconded by Senator Neimis; roll-call recorded unanimous ayes from members present; committee reported the bill favorably (recommendation that the bill should pass).
