Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Unorganized Territory Property topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Panel hears resolve to let state sell tax‑acquired parcels in unorganized territory
Summary
Representatives from the Department of Administrative and Financial Services told the taxation committee that LD 2075 is a routine annual resolve to authorize the state tax assessor to convey state interests in specified tax‑acquired real estate in Maine’s unorganized territory; committee members asked about broker listings, minimum bids and protections for former owners.
The Joint Standing Committee on Taxation heard LD 2075, a resolve authorizing the state tax assessor to convey the state's interest in certain real estate parcels acquired through tax liens in Maine’s unorganized territory.
Representative Dan Sayer presented the resolve on behalf of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services and recommended the committee hear department staff for details.
Steven Sullivan, deputy director for the property tax division at DAFS, said the resolve is an annual, routine bill that lists parcels the state acquired through foreclosure of tax liens and recommends dispositions for each. Sullivan told the committee this step implements Title 36, section 1283 of the Maine Revised Statutes and that none of the properties included in the resolve are occupied homesteads.
Committee members asked a series of procedural questions about how the properties are marketed and sold. Sullivan explained that, under the cited statute and related procedure (36 MRS §943‑C), MRS lists the property with a real estate broker for up to one year; if the broker cannot sell it, the state may then sell by sealed bid with a required minimum. He also said the broker establishes an asking price in consultation with MRS and that MRS retains final authority to accept or reject offers.
Members raised concerns about oversight and whether proceeds reach former owners or heirs. Sullivan said MRS attempts redemption up to the point of sale and, if the former owner cannot be located, sale proceeds are sent to the treasurer as unclaimed property. Representatives also asked about fractional ownership parcels and how the state handles partial interests; Sullivan said those situations are addressed case‑by‑case and that the department would provide further detail at the work session.
Committee members noted the modest size of the stock of parcels: one member summarized the list as roughly 28 properties with a combined overdue tax total in the low tens of thousands of dollars. The committee closed the public hearing and scheduled follow‑up work sessions.
