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House approves consolidated delinquent-tax collection procedure after debate on occupied-property foreclosures
Summary
Lawmakers passed House Bill 600 to allow counties a consolidated procedure to collect delinquent tax bills and require contract language allowing county attorneys to use the procedure; members warned the measure could permit foreclosure of occupied properties and enable predatory third‑party lien purchasers. The bill passed 82–11.
The Kentucky House on March 5 approved House Bill 600, which lets counties adopt a consolidated procedure for collecting delinquent property tax bills and requires contracts between the Department of Revenue and county attorneys to include the option to use that procedure.
The sponsor on the floor explained the measure “allows counties to use a consolidated procedure for collecting delinquent tax bills” and to contractually enable county attorneys to implement the process.
Representative from Louisville (questioning member) raised concerns that the consolidated option could apply to occupied properties and cautioned it might create opportunities for third‑party tax lien holders to foreclose on homes whose residents cannot afford back taxes. “I am concerned about predatory third‑party tax lien holders,” the representative said, urging members to consider risks to seniors or low‑income homeowners.
The sponsor said the bill’s purpose is to assist counties in collecting delinquent taxes and that counties would retain discretion; when asked whether counties could foreclose on occupied properties, the sponsor replied that a county would have the ability to choose that course.
After brief discussion, the House voted 82 in favor and 11 opposed; the clerk reported the bill passed.
